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News
Virginia Mayflower Society Celebrates its Largest Crowd at Compact Day
(RICHMOND, Va., Saturday, November 22, 2025) --The Virginia Mayflower Society celebrated Compact Day with the largest crowd ever. One hundred fifty members and guests enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving luncheon at the beautiful Historic Commonwealth Club in Richmond, Virginia.
The Virginia Mayflower Society routinely meets at the Commonwealth Club, an exclusive city club founded in 1890 by a group of distinguished Richmond Leaders. The food and service are always consistent, and the venue is elegant. We are privileged to hold our Board of Assistants meeting and Compact Day there annually. After the Invocation and Blessing by Elder Rev. Peter Stimpson, Captain Edward Kimball Thompson, II, led the Pilgrim Pledge, Counsellor Peter E. Broadbent, Jr. Esq. read the Mayflower Compact, and Assistant Historian Timothy Phillips called the Passenger Roll. This year, our Hospitality chair, Suzannah Keesler, provided a favor of the five Kernels of Corn legend.
At its May 2025 meeting, the Board of Assistants of the Virginia Mayflower Society approved the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee to take an alternate approach to enhance the Mildred Ramos Scholarship program in collaboration with the College of William and Mary
in Williamsburg, VA. The Society’s new scholarship program with the College of William & Mary will be named the Mildred Ramos 1620 Early American History Award. It will be funded through the Society’s Mildred Ramos Award (renamed) Fund and first awarded in the Spring of 2026 to a master’s degree candidate whose research and academic work in early American history is judged by William & Mary’s History faculty to be the most outstanding. The initial award will be increased to $3,240 ($1620 x 2).
Governor Saul announced that the BOA approved a $5,000 donation to the Meeting House to reserve a Sanctuary Pew section in Former Governor General Mildred Ramos’ name. Mrs. Ramos is the only Governor General from Virginia. The donation is to be paid in three installments. The first payment of $1,500 has been made. The second payment for $2,000 will be given to Governor General Pennington in Charlottesville next Spring. The final payment of $1,500 will be sent in Fall 2026.
During the meeting, Governor Saul and former Governor Lee Hardin Woody presented the GSMD Commendation Award to John Alden Copenhaver. John has contributed to the Virginia Mayflower Society for many years, most recently as the Assistant Secretary in charge of events and rescuing governors during “pearl clutching” moments. In his role as Assistant Secretary, John took on the significant responsibility of organizing our biannual luncheons and special events. His exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail ensured seamless coordination with venue staff, the VMS Hospitality Committee, keynote speakers, and the Governor. Among his many contributions, one event stands out as especially memorable. In anticipation of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s landing, John organized a special luncheon at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, located in Richmond, followed by a private, curator-led tour of a colonial American exhibit. The program offered a vivid portrayal of life in both Plymouth and Virginia in the early 1600s and was a fitting tribute to our shared heritage.
Jason Madre, a native North Carolinian, provided the program for the meeting, recounting his adventures of searching the Great Dismal Swamp for artifacts. He and his father recovered nearly 20,000 items, which were exhibited at the History Museum in Raleigh, NC.
He finished his talk with this challenge to the audience gathered:
"So if you are out there today and treading water in some deep, dark place, I urge you to dive in.
While at times it may only feel like you are bringing up ‘handfuls of broken glass,’ eventually you
will find a treasure worth far more than anything you will see in a museum.
You will find yourself. So take that dive.
It’s worth it, I promise.
Because you…you are worth it.”
His speech was stunning and a reminder of the challenge our Pilgrim ancestors met on their great dive into the unknown.
2024 General Board of Assistants Meeting Recap: Virginia Delegation in Asheville, NC
Those who arrived early were treated to a tour of the iconic Biltmore House. Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in small group workshops, committee meetings, receptions, and social gatherings, building connections with cousins from other member societies. Saturday was devoted to business sessions, where the Executive Committee presented detailed reports. Former Governor General Jane E. Groves Riddell Hurt shared updates on the Mayflower Society House, while Lea Sinclair Filson, also a Former Governor General, reported on the National Pilgrim Memorial Meetinghouse. A highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding contributions within the Mayflower community. We were especially proud of our own Nancy Saul, who was nominated for her exceptional service in North Carolina and Virginia by Meg Averett, Steve Pike, and Lee Woody. The Governor General’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bonnie Wade Mucia, Director of the Silver Books Project. This honor recognizes her remarkable dedication to preserving the genealogical records and legacy of our Pilgrim ancestors. The meeting concluded with an invitation from Texas Society Governor Kimberly Florsheim, who welcomed everyone to the next GBOA gathering, set for 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. We would love for you to join us as part of the Virginia delegation!
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(ASHVILLE, N.C., Tuesday, September 10, 2024) Virginia Mayflower Society attends the 43rd Congress of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants
(PLYMOUTH, Mass., Wednesday, September 13, 2023) -- The Virginia Mayflower Society was well represented by Cindy Carlson, Marsha Masone, Karen Pogoloff, and Lee Hardin Woody by attending the 43rd Congress at Plymouth, Massachusetts held September 8-13, 2023. Events included cocktails on the wharf, touring the ship Mayflower II, walking in the Pilgrim Progress, and enjoying social and business meetings with many new cousins. Congratulations to Meg Averett for receiving the 2023 Governor’s General Distinguished Service Award at the 43rd GSMD Congress! A well-deserved honor. |
Nov 2023 - Virginia Society Compact Day Luncheon special guest: Bonnie Wade Mucia, Director of the Mayflower Silver Books Project, General Society of Mayflower Descendants. | 6 May 2023 - Virginia Society Spring Luncheon special guest: Kate LaPrad - Deputy Director, Education and Strategic Partnerships at Plimoth Plantation Museums. |
6 May 2022 - Reception for Board of Assistants | 7 May 2022 - Virginia Society General Membership Meeting |
MAYFLOWER SOCIETY WELCOMES 100,000TH APPLICATION
Plymouth, MA (May 27, 2021) – Scott Watson, U.S. Army Retired, grew up in America, went on to defend his country, and now has become the 100,000th descendant to be accepted into the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD). His ancestor, William Brewster, landed here in 1620 on the ship Mayflower. Fifteen generations later, Brewster’s family is still telling the story.
“GSMD has member societies in every U. S. State, District of Columbia, Canada, Europe, and Australia,” said GSMD Governor General Jane Hurt. “Since this year marks the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, the interest in the Mayflower story has been enormous.”
In an emotional Zoom call this week, Scott learned the news from Governor General Jane Hurt, Historian General Midge Hurtuk, Virginia Society Governor James Maloney and Virginia Society Historian Jamie Callender. As they all traded stories about how they first learned of their Mayflower heritage, lots of laughs were exchanged.
“I am honored to continue the lineage to a Mayflower ancestor and to get to know all my distant relatives when I attend Virginia meetings,” said Watson. “Now that I know I am a Mayflower descendant, I am anxious to go to Plymouth and see where it all began.”
Lucky for Scott, he will get his wish. In addition to bestowing a gift certificate to Scott for Mayflower Society swag, he will receive a trip for two to Plymouth, compliments of See Plymouth, the local tourism organization.
“This society has prevailed since 1897 because the Mayflower Story is so important to American history,” said Historian General Midge Hurtuk. “It is through encouraging those who descend from the Pilgrim ancestors to research their lineage that we make sure this story is told forever.”
ADOPTED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE VIRGINIA MAYFLOWER SOCIETY
Richmond, VA (November 19, 2022) – Proposed amendments to the Society’s Constitution and Bylaws were presented at the last Virginia Board of Assistants meeting. These changes include, among other things, provisions for electronic Board of Assistants meetings and more flexibility in meeting dates for Society’s Luncheons. These proposed changes were voted upon at the November membership meeting.
Williamsburg, VA (May 4, 2024) – Proposed amendments to the Society’s Constitution and Bylaws were presented at the last Virginia Board of Assistants meeting. These changes address membership status and the timeline for collecting state and national dues. These proposed changes were voted upon at the Spring membership meeting.
To review the updated constitution and bylaws, go to the Members Only Section