By Dan Hinchen
There is a new exhibit on the way this week, as well as a couple of public programs for you. Here is what’s lined up:
– Monday, 6 June, 6:00PM : When Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831 it revolutionized the way Americans mourned the dead by offering a peaceful space for contemplation. Join us to hear author Stephen Kendrick tell the story of Mount Auburn’s founding, its legacy, and the many influential Americans interred there. This story is captured in Kendrick’s latest book The Lively Place: Mount Auburn, America’s First Garden Cemetery, and Its Revolutionary and Literary Residents. This author talk is open the public and registration is required at a cost of $20 (no charge for MHS Members or Fellows). A reception begins at 5:30PM and the talk begins at 6:00PM.
– Friday, 10 June, 10:00AM : The Private Jefferson has left the building and we are happy to present our next exhibition, “Turning Points in American History.” This presentation examines 15 decisive moments when everything suddenly changed or a process began that would change what followed, described in eyewitness accounts and personal records, or commemorated by “dumb witnesses” — artifacts found in the Society’s collections. The exhibitions galleries are open to the public free of charge Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM.
– Friday, 10 June, 12:00PM : Also on Friday is a Brown Bag lunch talk given by Gregory Michna of West Virginia University. “A Communion of Churches: Indian Christians, English Ministers, and Congregations in New England, 1600-1775” explores Puritan and Native American efforts to build religious communities throughout the span of colonial New England. This talk is free and open to the public. Pack a lunch and stop by!
– Saturday 11 June, 10:00AM : After a multi-week hiatus, our public tour is back! Come by on Saturday for The History and Collections of the MHS, a 90-minute docent-led walk through our public spaces. The tour is open to the public free of charge with no need for reservations for individuals or small groups. Larger parties of 8 or more should contact Curator of Art Anne Bentleh in advance at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.
– Saturday, 11 June, 5:00PM : The American President: From Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton charts the enormous growth of presidential power from its lowly state in the nineteenth century to the imperial presidency of the twentieth. Join author and presidential historian William Leuchtenburg as he talks about his news book. Registration is required for this event at a cost of $20 (no charge for MHS Members or Fellows). A pre-talk reception begins at 4:30PM and the talk begins at 5:00PM