Voting Begins Friday, 22 March for
A prolific writer, Abigail’s letters are filled with practical advice, candid comments, and thoughtful musings. The American Antiquarian Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society have chosen 32 letters from their collections to pit against one another. details
This sturdy ox hide coat—essentially 17th-century body armor—probably was made in England in the 1640s and was worn in battle by John Leverett (1616-1679) during the English Civil War and then, according to family tradition, during military service in New England. More
Submit your proposal for our 2019-2020 seminar series by March 15. Learn more.
Explore the ways in which the multiple meanings of fashion and fashionable goods are reflected in patterns of consumption and refashioning, recycling, and retaining favorite family pieces. View
As the nation’s first historical society, the MHS strives to enhance the understanding of our nation’s past and its connection to the present, demonstrating that history is not just a series of events that happened to individuals long ago but is integral to the fabric of our daily lives. More about the MHS
This panel examines carceral culture in the twentieth century. Morgan Jane Shahan’s paper, “‘Making Good’: On Parole in Early 20th Century ...
Throughout history, garments have been handed down to be worn in different contexts or to be used as material to create something new. Our panel will talk about the ...
The History and Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society Tour is a 90-minute docent-led walk through our public rooms. The tour is free, open to the public, ...
View a selection of our favorite items from the MHS collection.
Browse a list of our digital collections or limit your search by topic, format, or time period.
The Adams Family Papers consist of the writings of two presidents—John Adams and John Quincy Adams—and their families. View documents and transcriptions, biographies, a timeline, and more.
The Coolidge Collection of Thomas Jefferson Manuscripts, containing almost 9,000 pages of correspondence, personal manuscript volumes, and more than 400 architectural drawings, is the largest gathering of the personal papers of our third president.
Comprised of manuscripts, photographs, books, pamphlets, broadsides, maps, graphics, newspapers, works of art, and artifacts, MHS collections are unparalleled in their importance for the study of American history.
Looking for something to do this week? Stop by to see our current exhibition Fashioning the New England Family before it closes on 6 April. We also have a seminar, a panel discussion, and ...
by Hannah Elder, Library Assistant Happy spring, everyone! In honor of this new season, I’d like to share a bit of an arboreal mystery that I recently uncovered. While thumbing through Volume ...
Here is a look at what is going on this week: On Wednesday, 20 March, 6:00 PM: Ike’s Mystery Man: The Secret Lives of Robert Cutler ...
Our blog has a new look and feel! Read now.
