About Alden Kindred of America

Mission

The purpose of membership is stewardship of the National Historic Landmark, the John and Priscilla Alden Family Sites: preserving, educating and exhibiting the history and heritage of Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins Alden. John Alden is usually remembered as the humble cooper who came on the Mayflower and won the hand of Priscilla Mullins, but we also recognize that he was a major political figure in the 17th century, serving Plymouth Colony for about seventy years and in nearly every capacity, including that of Acting Governor. Although without the documented historical record enjoyed by many men, we can confidently assume that Priscilla accomplished much in taking care of their home, their ten children, and the vegetable and herb gardens. In addition, she would have performed farmwork when John was away, especially in the early 1630’s when he was very involved in the fur trade.

Membership

Do visit our expanding museum and consider becoming a member. Membership is open to all. We offer individual, household, lifetime, and corporate memberships, and we encourage everyone to become a member and participate in our programs. We offer programs for children, families, and friends and educational activities for children in cooperation with local schools. In addition, there are adult-oriented lectures and activities each year. Please see the Virtual section for a list of lectures already presented and available online. A broad range of expertise and subject matter is covered: archaeology, architecture, crafts, foodways, heroes, law, textiles, trade, war, weapons, women’s studies, and more!
Members interested in doing so may trace their Alden lineage and have it professionally established to the Alden archives. For more information, please see Lineage Certification.

History

The publication of the bestselling narrative poem, The Courtship of Miles Standish (1858), by Alden descendant Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, made John Alden and Priscilla Mullins into familiar household names.

Following the creation of various Mayflower descendant societies in the 19th century, Middleboro resident Miss A. Ella Alden undertook a correspondence campaign with as many Aldens as she could identify, urging them to attend a family reunion on September 11, 1901.

About 150 attended that first gathering in Highland Park in Avon, Mass., where the attendees decided to create a permanent organization, the Alden Kindred of America. The second reunion in 1902 was at the Alden family homestead in Duxbury at the invitation of the home’s steward, John Winsor Alden. In 1905, the Alden Kindred began a discussion about taking ownership of the property, which at that time consisted of the house and about 2.7 acres. The organization was incorporated in 1906, and then in 1907, with the help of funds from the guardian and representative of John Tolman Alden of St. Louis, Missouri, the Alden Kindred became the official owners. Local Aldens continued to live in the house, manage the property, and give tours, etc., but in the mid-1950’s, the Kindred took over full responsibility, eventually leading the way to its designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Alden House is unique in that it is the only Pilgrim family home that has always been owned by members of the same family! And it continues so into its fourth century because the Alden Kindred’s constitution requires that part of its leadership structure consist of Alden descendants. Please consider joining this dynamic organization! Everyone is welcome! And if your lineage happens to go back to John and Priscilla, welcome back to your ancestral home!