Located on 105 Alden St., Duxbury (10 miles North of Plymouth), the Alden House Museum is the only known standing building in which original pilgrims were known to live. Owned by the Alden Kindred of America, the Alden family’s association, the homes has been in the family since the 1620’s.

The Alden House Museum, also known as the John and Priscilla Alden Family Site, was added to the National Historic Register in 1978 and has been a designated a National Historic Landmark since October 7, 2008. This historical is a must see when you travel with your Plymouth rental cars.

A tale of love

It is said that John Alden headed to the New World to follow his love Priscilla Mullens. However, John’s friend, Captain Miles Standish had also fallen in love with Priscilla during the voyage. John eventually won Priscilla’s heart and they married on May 12, 1622. They had 10 children, six girls and four boys who survived to adulthood: Elizabeth, John, Joseph, Priscilla, Jonathon, Sarah, Ruth, Mary, Rebecca, and David. This love triangle made them famous when they were mentioned in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1858 narrative poem titled The Courtship of Miles Standish.

Remembering John Alden’s legacy

John Alden leaves an impressive legacy; he was one of the founding fathers of the Plymouth Colony and the seventh signer of the Mayflower Compact. He passed away on September 12, 1687 and is buried with his wife at the Miles Standish Burial Ground.

Fun for the kids

The Alden House has an Outreach Program for children in pre-school and early grades. Designed and developed by the Alden Kindred President Linda Osborne includes an introduction to the early home life. The program also has a show-and- tell session where historic artifacts are featured. If you’re interested in the Outreach Program on you travels with your Plymouth rental cars you can call 781 934 9092 or email aldenhouse@comcast.net

A time to celebrate

If you get the chance, visit the Alden House Museum on October 17 and you will be in for a treat! The historical landmark becomes a haunted house that will be bound to entertain. Get ready to be spooked during a walk through the Haunted Trail through the woods or become petrified by listening to stories about ghosts and spirits of the past. This is something you definitely won’t want to miss out on if you are in the area with your Plymouth rental cars.

The Alden House Museum also hosts several events throughout the year including The Alden Open Golf Tournament, Duxbury Free Day, Awards Dinners and more. So make sure you check their website for events that may be happening when you visit.

Take a little bit of history home

When you travel with your Plymouth rental cars, make sure you drop by Aunt Polly’s Gift Shop to pick up some one of a kind gifts for your friends and family back home. Some great souvenirs you can expect to find include photo reproductions and genealogical books. There are also a multitude of toys that represent the history of the time including marbles, jacks, goose quill pen, handcrafted persimmon fife, Jacob’s ladder and more.

Visit the Alden House Museum’s official website at www.alden.org for more information when you travel with your Plymouth rental cars.