By Dan Hinchen

At the top of the list this week is our recently unveiled exhbition! Come by anytime Mon-Sat, 10:00AM-4:00PM, to take a look at The Private Jefferson. The exhibit is free to the public and will remain on display through 20 May 2016. 

There are four other items on the calendar this week for public consumption:

– Tuesday, 2 February : There is an Early American History seminar beginning at 5:15PM. “Sound Believers: Rhyme and Right Belief” is presented by MHS-NEH long-term fellow Wendy Roberts, SUNY-Albany. Roberts’ project examines the connection between poetry and evangelicalism in the 18th and early-19th centuries. Stephen A. Marini of Wellesley College provides comment. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

– Wednesday, 3 February : Starting at noon is a Brown Bag talk given by independent scholar Robert G. Mann. His work, “Making Another Massachusetts of South Carolina: Reconstruction in the Sea Islands,” evaluates the achievements and disappointments of a unique, integrated community centered around Beaufort, South Carolina, in the years 1863-1880 through the intertwined stories of three Massachusetts men and one former slave. This talk is free and open to the public. 

– Wednesday, 3 February : Join us for the first of a four part series on Modernism, “Brutalism to Heroic.” This conversation features Mark Pasnik, AIA, Over, Under; Chris Grimley, AIA, Over,Under; and Michael Kubo, Collectiove-LOK. There is a pre-talk reception that begins at 5:30PM with the talk beginning at 6:00PM. Registration is required for this event. 

– Saturday, 4 February : The History and Collection of the MHS is a docent-led tour that is free and open to the public. Spend about 45 minutes learning about the Society and touring the library area and then take the opportunity to visit our exhibition space. No need for reservations for individuals or small groups. Parties of 8 or more should contact Curator of Art, Anne Bentley, in advance at abentley@masshist.org or 617-646-0508.