By Dan Hinchen
The first week of October is a busy one here at the Society. Here’s what’s coming up!
Starting things off on Monday evening, 5 October, is a public author talk. Beginning at 6:00PM, author Andrea Wulf will discuss her new book, The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World. Co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, this talk is open to the public with a $20 fee (no charge for MHS Fellows and Members); registration required. A pre-talk reception starts at 5:30PM. Click here to learn about Wulf’s talk the following day at the Arboretum.
On Tuesday, 6 October, stop by the Society at 5:15PM for an Early American History seminar. This time, Jane Kamensky of Harvard University presents “Copley’s Cato or, The Art of Slavery in the Age of British Liberty,” taken from several chapters of her manuscript, Copley: A Life in Color. David L. Waldstreicher of the Graduate Center at CUNY provides comment. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.
Looking for a lunch date on Wednesday, 7 October? Why not pack a lunch and come by the Society at noon for a Brown Bag talk. Cynthia Bouton of Texas A&M University discusses her book project with this talk titled “Subsistence, Society, Commerce, and Culture in the Atlantic World in the Age of Revolution.” This talk is free and open to the public.
Then, on Thursday, 7 October, we have seminar number two for the week, this time from the History of Women and Gender series. “Capitalism, Carceral Culture, and the Domestication of Working Women in the Early American City” is presented by Jen Manion of Connecticut College, with Cornelia Dayton of UConn providing comment. The talk will begin at 5:30PM and is taking place at the Schlesinger Library. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.
And on Friday, 8 October, there is a gallery talk focused on our main exhibition, Terra Firma: The Beginnings of the MHS Map Collection. Stop by at 2:00PM on Friday for “Terra Firma: Too Big to Show.” In this talk the MHS’ Senior Cataloger, Mary Yacovone, will provide an up-close look at atlases that didn’t make it into the exhibition. This talk is free and open to the public.
Finally, on Saturday, 9 October, come in at 10:00AM for “The History and Collections of the MHS,” a 90-minute docent-led talk that explores the public spaces in the building at 1154 Boylston Street and passes on information about the history, holdings, art, and architecture at the MHS. This tour is free and open to the public. Reservations are not necessary for individuals and small groups. Parties of 8 or more should contact Art Curator Anne Bentley in advance at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.
Remember to keep your eye on our online calendar for updates on programs, and to read about our current exhibitions!