Framingham State Donating White Oak for Mayflower II Restoration

Framingham State University has agreed to donate sections of a large white oak on campus to Plimoth Plantation to help repair Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the original Mayflower that sailed to Plymouth in 1620.

The University was already planning to remove the tree this summer to make room for a new science building that will provide students with access to 16 state-of-the-art laboratories. The project is being undertaken by the Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance.

“We’re thrilled that this beautiful tree is being put to good use and will live on as part of Mayflower II,” said Framingham State President Timothy J. Flanagan. “Plimoth Plantation is a wonderful living museum that provides thousands of families each year with a fantastic learning experience.”

Mayflower II is currently undergoing extensive renovations at the shipyard in Fairhaven. The 56-year-old wooden sailing ship requires very specific and often difficult to find wood to complete her repairs.

"We are very grateful for this timely and generous gift," said Ellie Donovan, Executive Director of Plimoth Plantation. "This tree will become part of Mayflower II's living story of faith, courage and perseverance. This donation makes it possible for the Ship to continue to inspire and educate for generations to come."

Sections of the white oak will be used to replace Mayflower II’s planks and frames. The contractors removing and transporting the tree later this month are Barr & Barr Construction, from Framingham; W.L. French Excavating Corp. from North Billerica and R.J. Cobb Land Clearing, Inc., from Bellingham. 

The tree will be transported to Plimoth Plantation. People can follow the progress of Mayflower II’s renovation on the Captain’s Blog at http://blogs.plimoth.org/captns-blog/.

Framingham State University will preserve a cross-section of the White Oak to be developed into a commemorative piece of art by Communications Arts Professor Derrick TePaske.

Moving forward, the University will be planting 99 new trees and 128 new bushes as part of its landscaping efforts following the completion of the new science facility.