By Dan Hinchen

There is a flurry of activity to start the week here at the Society before we ease into a long weekend. Here is what we have in store:

– Monday, 10 April, 6:00PM : We begin the week with an author talk featuring Ronald H. Epp, whose recent book is titled Creating Acadia National Park: The Biography of George Bucknam Dorr. In his work, Epp examines the pioneering role of Dorr’s seminal contributions – largely unacknowledged – to the American environmental movement. This talk is open to the public and registration is required with a fee of $10 (no charge for MHS Members or Fellows). A pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM followed by the speaking program at 6:00PM. 

– Tuesday, 11 April, 5:15PM : This weeks Environmental History Seminar is a panel discussion titled “Fishing the Commons.” The talk will feature Erik Reardon of University of Maine at Orono and his paper “New England’s Pre-Industrial River Commons: Culture and Economy,” as well as Stacy Roberts of University of California, Davis, and her essay “The Private Commons: Oyster Planting in 19th-century Connecticut.” Matthew McKenzie of University of Connecticut at Avery Point provides comment. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

– Wednesday, 12 April, 12:00PM : Come in for a Brown Bag talk on Wednesday titled “Radical Enlightenment in the Struggle over Slavery,” featuring Matthew Stewart, author of Nature’s God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic. This talk draws material from a work in progress to lead a discussion about the role of Enlightenment ideas in shaping abolitionism, anti-slavery politics, and the Civil War. This talk is free and open to the public so grab your lunch and stop by!

– Wednesday, 12 April, 6:00PM : “The Rise and Fall of the American Party” is a public program that is part of The Irish Atlantic Series which is centered on our current exhibition. In this talk, Stephen T. Riley Librarian of the MHS, Peter Drummey, looks at the meteoric rise of the American Party – the “Know Nothings” – as well as its rapid decline with the approach of the Civil War. This talk is free and open to the public though registration is required. Pre-talk reception kicks-off at 5:30PM and the program starts at 6:00PM. 

– Saturday, 15 April, 10:00AM : The History and Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society Tour is a 90-minute docent-led walk through our public rooms. The tour is free, open to the public, with no need for reservations. If you would like to bring a larger party (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

Please note that the Society is CLOSED on Monday, 17 April, in observance of Patriot’s Day.