By Dan Hinchen

The Society is CLOSED on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.

We return from a long holiday weekend to a steadily increasing flow of events through the month and into October as seminar season resumes. Here’s what’s happening this week:

– Wednesday, 7 September, 12:00PM : Join us for a Brown Bag lunch talk with Chris Staysniak of Boston College. “To Serve and Grow: Catholic and Protestant Youth Volunteering in America, 1934-1973” explores the development of youth volunteering in the United States in the twentieth century and shows how the development of the volunteer was always as important as the actual servcie work he or she provided. This talk is free and open to the public. 

– Thursday, 8 September, 5:00PM : In “The Past Has a Future,” Jonathan Fanton, President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, takes up the recurring challenges in the relationship between historians and the public. In so doing, he looks toward a better future for the disipline from the perspective of a leading learned society tha tbridges the humanities, the sciences, and the public good. This talk is open to the public, free of charge, though registration is required. A pre-talk reception begins at 4:30PM and the event begins at 5:00PM. 

Please note, the library closes at 4:15PM on Thursday, 8 September, in preparation for the evening’s event. The library remains closed on Friday, 9 September. Normal hours resume on Saturday, 10 September.

– Saturday, 10 September, 10:00AM : The History and Collections of the MHS is a 90-minute, docent-led walk through the public spaces at the Society. This tour is free and open to the public with no reservations needed for individuals or small groups. Larger parties (8 or more) should contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley in advance at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org. 

While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition: Turning Points in American History.