She was a medium-size merchant vessel of the 17th century, but her cargo was far from ordinary. Aboard the Mayflower were 102 passengers-today known as Pilgrims-who fled religious persecution in Europe for freedom in the New World. In the late summer of 1620, the small wooden ship embarked upon her historic voyage. Sixty-six days later, the Pilgrims landed and settled the first permanent colony in New England.

Now hobbyists of all ages can step into the past by creating their own authentic full-color model of the reconstructed ship that is visited each year by thousands in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams enable beginners as well as experienced modelists to assemble a large (17-inch-long) durable model of the Mayflower.

Model builders will delight in recreating the venerable vessel that played such an important part in America's early history. Parents and teachers will find the project rewarding and educational-an ideal enterprise for young students to work on at home or in the classroom.

Original copublication (1988) of Dover and Plimoth Plantation (Plymouth, Mass.). Instructions. Assembly diagrams. 16 full-color plates. 48pp. printed one side only. 9 1/4 x 12 1/4. Paperbound.