By Carol Knauff

Join us this Saturday at our Open House as we kick off our commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Marking the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War–a conflict that changed the course of the nation’s development–the Open House will offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about the Civil War through the Society’s collections, programs, and services.

The Open House will take place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and a variety of activities geared towards the Civil War will be offered throughout the day.

•    At 11:00 AM, visitors are invited to “Discoveries and Methods: Civil War Research at the MHS,” a lively discussion between four different MHS researchers as they share insights and discoveries stemming from their use of the Society’s Civil War resources.
•    At 1:00 PM, Stephen T. Riley Librarian Peter Drummey will present an exhibition talk focused on photographs from the Abolitionist movement and the Civil War.
•    Starting in the front lobby at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM, tours of the Society’s public rooms will give visitors a taste of the history and collections of the MHS.
•    Visit our newly refurbished gallery to view History Drawn with Light: Early Photographs from the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society and its iconic photographs of from the Abolitionist movement together with images of soldiers, camps, and battlefields of the Civil War.
•    “‘Oil and water are not more contrary…than North and South’: Three Generations of Adamses on Slavery and Sectionalism” will be on display along with a presentation of on-going Civil War projects at the MHS.
•    Enjoy refreshments throughout the day and visit our information table to learn about MHS resources, upcoming programs, and membership.

For more information e-mail rsvp@masshist.org.