Newsletters

It is a privilege to deliver my first message as Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of New York. My election during this past spring’s 131^st Annual Meeting was made even more special as in 2026 we – as descendants of some of the earliest settlers – observe the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This celebration calls to mind the resilience of our ancestors and the principles that were present in Plymouth in 1620 and in our country today. 

As we celebrate this historic semi-quincentennial year, we have much of which to be proud. We have a committed and involved Board of Assistants (see page 3 for three of our newest members); robust and engaged colonies (see page 5 for two well-attended upstate spring luncheons); expanding educational programs (see page 10 for a list of nearly 100 schools which partnered with the NYSOMD and presented American History awards during this milestone year); and most importantly, we continue to strengthen our pipeline of new members through our growing Little Pilgrims Program (Junior Affiliate Members) (see page 9 for a glimpse of our inaugural event).

With profound gratitude to former Governor Justin Abelow for his committed and thoughtful stewardship for the past four years, I would like to share the insight he shared at the Annual Meeting, that “Our Society is, indeed, an educational society… A very special kind of educational society honoring our family heritage, because this set of interlocking and interdependent cousinages descend from those intrepid Pilgrims.” Our educational mission encompasses more than classroom educators and scholarship awards, in fact, every event we host is an opportunity for our members to learn more their own family’s unique history while helping to preserve our collective American History. 

With a handful of remaining events this year – SailFourth: A Historic Walking Tour & Museum Reception (July 7), Fall Reception: An Evening of Interactive Theater & Reception (September 17), and our tentpole event – the 72^nd Annual Mayflower Ball (November 7) – I hope you will join us to champion our shared mission while enjoying the festivities. 

As our ancestors before us weathered the variable and unpredictable winds to land them in this New World, and as our more recent group of relatives founded the New York Society – the very first Mayflower State Society, established in 1894 – it is with great enthusiasm that I begin this journey as your Governor. I hope our paths cross soon and often, and look forward to many future shared Mayflower memories.

Welcome aboard!

Sincerely,
Charles “Trip” Dorkey III