You might be surprised how little most people know about the Pilgrims and their
heritage. That heritage is American freedom and democracy. Before setting foot on Plymouth
Rock, the adult male passengers signed the Mayflower Compact. John Quincy Adams has
called the Mayflower Compact the first example in modern times of a social compact or
system of government instituted by volunteer agreement by men of equal rights.
The Pilgrims burned no witches; they got along with Indians (including paying for
land); they were democratic. Yet people confuse the Pilgrims with the Puritans, an
authoritarian group who burned witches and fought with the Indians.
So one of our main purposes is education: We preserve the Pilgrims memory and history,
and defend their principles of civil and religious liberty and law. Our education programs
provide scholarship awards.
We welcome you to join the Society and to learn more about the Pilgrims. Their legacy
is your birthright.
