Annual Debutante Ball

All members of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and their friends and family  

are invited to attend, as well as all former debutantes and their families  

as we celebrate the presentation of this year's debutantes.  

A Brief History of the Mayflower Ball...

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of New York was formally organized in 1894 and their first annual meeting was held in 1895 at the Waldorf Hotel. Thereafter, annual dinner banquets were held each year in November to mark the signing of the Mayflower Compact. During the 1920s this changed to a dinner dance and the event was held each year at one of the finer hotels in New York City. During the 1950s the Annual Ball was held each year in the Plaza Hotel's Terrace Room and Grand Ballroom and this tradition continued until 1998. The first Annual Ball at which six debutantes were formally presented to the Society was held on October 29, 1959 in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel. The debutantes were received by the then Governor and Mrs. W. Rice Brewster. In the years since, 232 debutantes from many different state Societies have been presented and the event remains a highlight of the social season in New York. Guests are treated to a gourmet dinner and the music of the Alex Donner Orchestra. Although the highlight of the evening is the presentation of debutantes, Plymouth Awards are often presented to individuals in recognition of their commitment to philanthropic and educational endeavors.

For more information, please email us at  director@mayflowernewyork.org