April 21, 2016
BOSTON, MA— Plymouth 400, the official organization planning the 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony, was accompanied by leaders of the Mayflower 400 delegation from Plymouth, UK, to a meeting with Governor Charles Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, Representative Tom Calter, MOTT Executive Director Francois-Laurent Nivaud, and Executive Director of Massachusetts Cultural Council Anita Walker on Wednesday, April 20 at the Massachusetts State House. The meeting was called to discuss advancements in planning the 2020 commemoration both here and in the UK, and to highlight opportunities for business and economic development as well as cultural heritage and educational programming, particularly between the US and the UK, as part of the 2020 commemoration.
Plymouth 400 President Kenneth Tavares stressed the importance of this international commemoration, which will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction between the English and Wampanoag peoples and continue today as intrinsic elements of our national identity.
“The Plymouth 400 Anniversary has a much greater reach beyond the Town of Plymouth; it is truly an international event that will benefit the entire Commonwealth,” said Tavares. “The Town of Plymouth has supported Plymouth 400 since its inception, and we hope that the Commonwealth will recognize the economic impact that 2020 can and will have on Massachusetts and increase its support for Plymouth 400 so that we may move forward in planning our Signature Events and Programs. We are working closely with the Wampanoag Tribe, the UK, the Netherlands, and many other partners to bring this commemoration to the global stage and leave behind meaningful legacies for future generations.”
The UK delegation outlined planning and funding updates for Mayflower 400, the organization planning the 2020 commemorative programs and events in the UK.
“Our federal government recently announced 2.5 million pounds in federal funding for Mayflower 400, which will be used as seed money for our organization,” said Adrian Vinken, Chair of Mayflower 400 UK. “We have also been designated upwards of 30 million pounds in government support for arts and culture programming and infrastructure improvements looking towards 2020. The UK sees this commemoration as a great economic development opportunity and also as a way to highlight our country’s shared values and strong alliance with the United States.”
Plymouth 400 is planning Signature Events and Programs with the goal of increasing tourism and economic development, promoting education and civic engagement, and increasing national and international recognition for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 2020. The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
– ### –
