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.

Collection Highlights

Browse a selection of objects from the Society's vast collection showcasing a range of items—from iconic treasures to quirky historical artifacts. You can limit your search by topic or format.

Online Resources

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

Upcoming Events

Author Talk

Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote

18Jun 6:00PM 2019

There will be a pre-talk reception at 5:30.

The history of how American women won the right to vote has been told as the tale of a few iconic leaders, all white and native born. But there is a much broader and more ...

The Sound of Glass Shattering

20Jun 6:00PM 2019

There will be a pre-talk reception at 5:30

One hundred years have passed since Harvard Medical School appointed Dr. Alice Hamilton as assistant professor of Industrial Medicine, making her the first female faculty ...

Tour

Can She Do It? Gallery Talk

21Jun 2:00PM 2019

Join guest curator, Allison Lange, Wentworth Institute of Technology professor, for a guided tour and highlights from our current exhibition.

See our calendar for all events

From our Blog

This Week @MHS

Join us for a program this week! Here is a look at what is going on: - Tuesday, 29 January, 5:15 PM: Better Teaching through Technology, 1945-1969, with Victoria Cain, Northeastern ...

Founder to Founder

Like so many good stories here at the Historical Society, it began with a reference question. Jeremy Belknap, hunting through his sources, asked Vice President John Adams for some help. Belknap, the ...

Have you seen?

Captain William C. Homans