HARDINGS TO ARRIVE AT PLYMOUTH ABOARD PRESIDENTIAL YACHT
Plymouth, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On July 31, 1921, the historic town of Plymouth was in preparation "to welcome as its guest the President of the United States" who, on August 1st, will become "the first Chief Executive to make the pilgrimage to Plymouth Rock while in office."
President Warren G. Harding, along with Mrs. Harding, is expected to enter the bay in the morning aboard the Presidential yacht, Mayflower. He and the First Lady will be welcomed along "the narrow streets" of the town "garlanded and arched with streamers."
On hand for the festivities will be Issac Foote, Deputy Mayor of Plymouth, England along with other dignitaries representing Great Britain and Holland. Mr. Foote said...
"After the passing of 300 years, I come to wish you well and to tell you how great is our pride in your mighty progress and our joy in your success."
The Presidential yacht will be joined in Plymouth Bay by the battleships Delaware, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania along with the British cruiser, Cambrian.
In the afternoon, President Harding will address a throng of up to 10,000 persons from a stand facing Cole's Hill*. Afterwards, the Presidential party will take dinner at the Hotel Pilgrim** and attend a presentation titled "The Pilgrim Spirit."
*Cole's Hill rises steeply from the shore of Plymouth Bay near Plymouth Rock, the traditional landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620.
**According to a 1929 postcard published by Smith News Store, the Hotel Pilgrim was a 4 story white & gray Cape Cod style building with a lavishly manicured lawn.
SOURCE
"Plymouth Is In Fancy Array to Greet Harding," The New York Tribune, August 1, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
