Page 28 - North Haven Magazine Issue 16 Holiday 2020

North Haven's Very Own
MAYFLOWER SOCIETY
BANQUET
BANQUET

by Susan A. Iverson A Tradition Since 1895

First Mayflower Banquet
2020 is the year that historians world- natural, then, to hold the banquet as
wide will mark as truly exceptional – the culminating event of Forefathers’
including our little corner of the world. Day which took place in late November
Among all the other unprecedented or December. Initially it was Thorpe, One Hundredth Anniversary of
Mayflower Banquet
events we have witnessed, this is also Goodyear, and Linsley who determined
the first time since its inception that the the guest list and restricted it to North
annual Mayflower Society Banquet will Haven families. There was no stipula-
not be held. Even two World Wars, the tion that those families be descended
Spanish Flu outbreak, and a great de- from those who sailed on the May- Traditions abound on banquet night –
pression did not deter North Haveners flower. The Mayflower Society of North the meal is always a turkey dinner and
from gathering to celebrate their roots. Haven was not a part of the nationally the beadle is passed from the outgoing
I am sure that most of you reading this recognized Mayflower Society, either. toastmaster to the next. There is the
are not familiar with this quaint tradi- In fact, North Haven’s organization was reading of the Mayflower Compact, a
tion upheld every year – so I decided to formed two years before the nationally roll call, and a remembrance of those
write about its history and dispel many recognized organization. members who died during the past
of the misconceptions surrounding it. year. Every year there is a speaker who
presents a short program on some as-
pect of history – there have been actors
portraying historic figures, descriptions
of museum exhibits, even local history
trivia games. Probably the most popu-
lar part of the evening is the raffle; local
businesses donate goods and services
to be won by lucky bidders. Many of
North Haven’s restaurants, retail estab-
lishments, small businesses, and civic
organizations have contributed every
year for decades. People who haven’t
seen each other since the previous
banquet can catch up with each other
Officers of Mayflower and and celebrate another passed year as
Historical Society at One Hundreth a community. Although it is sad that
Anniversary of Banquet we cannot meet this year, we must ac-
Sheldon Thorpe knowledge that it will make next year’s
gathering that much more exciting!
The Mayflower Society founders were
also responsible for appointing the This year’s Executive Committee is
The Mayflower Society Banquet is an members of the Historical Commit- presently soliciting membership in the
event held EVERY year since it was first tee – this group eventually became the Mayflower Society – you can become a
organized by Sheldon Thorpe, Robert North Haven Historical Society. When member simply by mailing $5 with your
Goodyear, and Edward Linsley in 1895. I first became involved with the Histor- name and address to the Mayflower So-
Its purpose was (obviously) to com- ical Society, I did not understand the ciety, Cultural Center at 27 Broadway,
memorate the landing of the Pilgrims at connection between this once-yearly North Haven, CT 06473. Your mem-
Plymouth in 1620. So why was this bit banquet and the historical society. It bership will support the goals of the
of history so important to these men? seemed silly to have a whole organiza- Society and put you on the mailing list
They recognized that the Mayflower tion whose only purpose was to gather for the 2021 banquet. If you would like
Compact, written when the vessel land- once a year for a banquet! The Histori- to learn more about the Mayflower So-
ed in Massachusetts, established the cal Society is actually a “spin-off” of the ciety, please email Kimberly Carew, this
principles of living in freedom and de- Mayflower Society – and still supported year’s Toastmaster, at kimberlyc9094@
mocracy. Thorpe and his cofounders financially by the raffle held as part of gmail.com. Keep the tradition alive!
believed that time should be set aside each year’s banquet. Recent changes
yearly to remember our collective roots to each organization’s bylaws have also
and celebrate them. It only seemed more closely united them.

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North Haven Magazine - Holiday Issue 2020