Restored Mayflower replica returns to Plymouth

The replica of the original Mayflower ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 has returned home after extensive renovations - and delays.

The 64-year-old historic reproduction arrived back at the harbor Monday, just down the road from the Plimoth Plantation living history museum.

The original plan had called for a celebratory departure in late April with several stops at southern New England ports before a May arrival.

That was to include being led into Boston Harbor under sail with the USS Constitution for a maritime festival to mark the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower voyage.

But those plans were scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The historic reproduction spent the last three years in Mystic, Connecticut, getting $11.2 million worth of renovations.