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Collections

The Massachusetts Historical Society is one of the nation’s most respected research libraries. Our extraordinary collections provide an unparalleled record of American history and are enjoyed by scholars and the public alike.

The MHS possesses a remarkable assembly of personal papers of three presidents, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. The collections also contain accounts of the lives of thousands of ordinary Americans.

Explore the collections

The collections are available to all in person, online, and through exhibitions and programs. Learn more about doing research at the MHS.

Use these tools to view highlights, digital collections, and other online resources.

MHS Gallery

View highlights from the collection.

Online Resources

Browse web presentations by subject, era, or medium, or see a list of all of our online resources.

With millions of letters and diary entries, as well as photographs, maps, broadsides, artifacts, works of art, prints, and early newspapers, the MHS offers a wide-ranging perspective on the United States from the earliest beginnings of the nation to the present day.

Events/Programs

Exhibition

Letters and Photographs from the Battle Country: Massachusetts Women in the First World War

View all events

From our blog

This Week @ MHS

Have you seen?

Pigeons at Keewaydin