The Massachusetts Historical Society is the state sponsor for National History Day in Massachusetts, and is a great place for middle-school and high-school students to research their National History Day projects. MHS holds primary and secondary sources on a wide range of topics, including:

• The Era of the American Revolution
• Boston and the China Trade
• Slavery, Antislavery, and Abolition in New England
• Civil War Massachusetts
• 19th-Century Reform Movements
• Massachusetts and WWI

In addition to using our Online Resources, student are welcome to come to the MHS and work with our materials on site.  The MHS Library is free to use and open to all ages, and our Library Resource Staff will be happy to guide new library users through working with our archives.

Student Workshops

Interested in introducing students to primary source research at the Society? Want to work with the MHS to explore topics and narrow down research ideas related to NHD themes? The CTH will work with you to create a memorable educational experience for your students.  See our Student Programs page for more information class visits.  As with all of our school programs at the CTH, student visits and workshops are free of charge.

For more information, or to schedule your program, please contact the Center for the Teaching of History at (617) 646-0588 or education@masshist.org.

National History Day 2020: Conflict and Compromise

MHS collections are full of historical examples of conflict and compromise in national and local history.  Click here to find samples of the stories in our archives, thematic collections to explore, and artifacts to inspire you!