Goodwill Tour, 1970 (Dingles Department Store)

With America at war in Vietnam, with British support, Plymouth named 1970 Mayflower Year.

‘It’s such an awfully pleasant respite from the cares of the world.’

Massachusetts Senator Leverett Salton in Plymouth, May 1970

1970 marked the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. The city’s schoolchildren were given Mayflower mugs and medals, the State cinema in St Budeaux controversially changed its name to the Mayflower and a train service to Paddington became The Mayflower. Plymouth in 1970 was also characterised by building projects which marked the anniversary – the Mayflower Post House Hotel, the Mayflower Centre and the Mayflower Stand at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park. A private housing estate in Eggbuckland named 6 new streets after Mayflower passengers and the 350th anniversary also saw the creation of the Elizabethan Gardens behind New Street. New publications, parties and parades again marked the Anglo-American relationship. But what did the anniversary say about the relationship with Indigenous North Americans?

A group of Indigenous North American entertainers were in Plymouth for the 350th anniversary. Engaged in a Goodwill Tour of England on behalf of the US Travel Services, a branch of the Department of Commerce, their signatures are recorded in the Dingles department store visitors’ book.

In this group, there were three generations of the same family – the Monetathchis. Several of the visiting Native Americans were also well known for their dancing. Joe Bointy (Comanche-Kiowa) and George Watchetaker (Comanche) were both world champion fancy dancers. One image of the visit also shows Doc Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche), a renowned artist and flute player, playing the flute outside St. Andrew's Church.

There is also an urban legend associated with the tour. Several of George Watchetaker’s obituaries suggest he was knighted by the Queen after he and Doc Tate Nevaquaya gave a command performance for her during their visit. This seems unlikely.