By Dan Hinchen

It is time again for the weekly forecast of events here at the MHS! There are three public programs on offer in the week to come and with spring finally settling into its normal routine, plenty of reasons to take a walk and visit 1154 Boylston.

First up, on Tuesday, 7 May, is the last in the Early American History Seminar series for the season. Sarah Bilder of Boston College Law School and Pauline Maier of MIT present “Madison’s Hand: Revising the Constitutional Convention.” This seminar focuses on the most prominent remnants of the Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787, Madison’s Notes with his revisions, and ask what it means to take seriously that Madison’s notes on the Convention are notes. Two hundred and twnty-five years after the writing, the use of changing technology allows a revisiting of the original manuscript to suggest that Madison revised his notes far more extensively than was previously understood, demonstrating that Madison’s own understanding of the Convention, the Constitution, and his own role change dramatically betwee 1787 and the end of the 18th century. This seminar begins at 5:15pm and is free and open to the public. RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar paper. This is the last seminar at the MHS until the fall so come get your fix before the summer!

The following day, Wednesday, 8 May, come to attend the annual Jefferson lecture at the MHS. This year, Susan R. Stein of Monticello discusses “New Perspectives on Jefferson’s Monticello: House, Landscape, and Family.” This talk uses a wide lens to focus on recent restoration and interpretive efforts including Monticellos’ work spaces beneath the house, public rooms, and upper floors, as well as the principal street of the plantation, Mulberry Row. Also included will be description of Monticello’s free and enslaved communities. Ms. Stein is the Richard Gilder Senior Curator and Vice President for Museum Programs. Registration is required for this public program at no cost. Please RSVP. Pre-Talk Reception at 5:30pm, program starts at 6:00pm. Contact the education department at 617-646-0560/education@masshist.org for more informaiton or to reserve a spot.

And on Saturday, 11 May, after a few weeks off, our public tour resumes. “The History and Collections of the MHS” is a tour of the Society’s public rooms that touches on the history and collections of the MHS, including some of the art and architecture on view in the public spaces. Tours are led by an MHS staff member or docent and last about 90 minutes. Tour begins in the lobby at 10:00am and is free and open to the public. No reservation is required for individuals or small groups. Parties of 8 or more should contact the MHS prior to attending a tour. For more information please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

Finally, the three current exhibitions on view are available six days a week, Monday-Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. These exhibits are only around for three more weeks so be sure to get a glimpse before they go!