The initial Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission was established in 1915 by the General Court of Massachusetts (i.e., the Massachusetts State Legislature); it was to make recommendations for a proper celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth. Among its recommendations was the staging of a pageant to celebrate the Pilgrims and their voyage to the New World.
The General Court created a successor Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission and it was "authorized and directed to cause to be prepared plans and estimates of cost for carrying into effect the recommendation of the former commission for the permanent improvement and preservation of the historical localities named in its report, the construction of a memorial hall, and the holding of a pageant, as therein recommended."
It was originally recommended that the staging of the historical pageant take place in Plymouth, MA during the summer of 1920. Funds were allocated for the pageant, and an author was commissioned, but it was not held until the summer of 1921 - it coincided with other Tercentenary celebrations that were scheduled for better weather vs. December 1920.
"The Pilgrim Spirit" was the title of the historical pageant; it was written by George P. Baker and presented by The Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission. The pageant was staged over three separate runs, July 13-16, July 30-August 3 and August 10-13. Local residents of Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury and Marshfield served as the actors/actresses for the production.
The pageant featured four episodes plus a Finale. Per the commission, the pageant's "episodes present the story of the early explorations in Plymouth Bay before the landing; the struggles for religious toleration and individual freedom in England and Holland; the arrival of the shallop and of the "Mayflower;" the relations with the Indians and with the Bay Colony; and the last episode shows the spreading influence of the Pilgrims, presenting in all some twenty-two scenes."
Special invitations to opening night were sent to the Governors of all 48 States (Massachusetts plus the other 47 States of 1921) as well as to the Mayors of Massachusetts' 38 cities - Opening night was dubbed "Governor's Night." President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, Vice President Calvin Coolidge and others with the Presidential party were invited to the August 1 performance - "President's Night."
An estimate of $100,000 was included in the Commission's Report for holding the pageant. Though the appropriations made by the US Government and Massachusetts did not specifically earmark funds for the Pageant, funds designated for the Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission's use were directed toward the Pageant. Also, as the Pageant's Program included a full-page advertisement for the commemorative half dollar, it seems likely that a portion of the coin's proceeds were used to offset the Pageant's costs.
The Pilgrim Spirit Program - Front Cover
The Pilgrim Spirit Program - Title Page
The Pilgrim Spirit Program - Coin Advertisement
For other stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Pilgrim coins, see:
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Posted 12/22/2023 7:33 pm
