Founded in 1791, the MHS is the nation’s first historical society and one of the greatest repositories of American history, life, and culture. We provide access to historical resources that can help people understand their past as they imagine their future.
Telephone: 617-536-1608
Staff directory: www.masshist.org/about/staff
Contact: www.masshist.org/contact
Membership: membership@masshist.org
Library: library@masshist.org
Collections: collections@masshist.org
Permissions: permissions@masshist.org
Press/Media Inquiries - cknauff@masshist.org
Adams Papers: adamspapers@masshist.org
Programs: programs@masshist.org
Research: research_programs@masshist.org
Education: education@masshist.org
Publications: publications@masshist.org
Development: development@masshist.org
Address:
1154 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215 (view map /link to directions)
The MHS is housed in a National Historic Landmark building on the Fenway in Boston. It was designed by Edmund March Wheelwright and opened in 1899. The original building was expanded in 1948, and then again in 1970. Building systems and offices were renovated in 2004.
Yes, the building is accessible. There are HP-accessible bathrooms on all publicly available floors, as well as an elevator and wheelchair ramps. There is an infant/child changing area available to visitors on the ground floor. There are HP-placard designated spaces near the building’s exterior wheelchair ramp. The library is able to accommodate researchers in need of visual or hearing accommodations, but researchers should note their needs in their research appointment request. Visitors attending an event with specific accommodation needs should specify any particular requests when registering for an event.
To schedule a visit for K-12 student groups, please e-mail kmelchior@masshist.org.
To schedule a university/college class visit, please e-mail dhinchen@masshist.org.
Library Hours: Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, from 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM; Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 7:45 PM (opens at 12:00 PM the second Tuesday of the month); Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please visit our library page to plan your visit.
Exhibition Hours: Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM; Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 7:45 PM (opens at 12:00 PM the second Tuesday of the month); Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please note that the last admission for exhibition visitors is 45 minutes prior to closing.
Please visit hours and admission for hours and closings due to holidays and other events.
Admission: Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome in the galleries; library readers must be 16 years of age or accompanied by an adult.
On 24 January 1791, the Reverend Jeremy Belknap invited nine like-minded Bostonians to join him in creating what they would call simply, "The Historical Society," now the Massachusetts Historical Society, the first organization in the United States devoted to collecting materials for the study of American history.
Become a Member! Learn more at www.masshist.org/support/mhsfund.
Are you interested in working at the MHS? Visit www.masshist.org/job-announcements to learn about open positions.
Internship inquiries can be sent to mpeterson@masshist.org.
Join our mailing list! E-mail: enews@masshist.org.
Our work to collect, preserve, and serve the community is only possible with the ongoing generosity from members of our community. We remain committed to being a forum for learning about the past—both the big pictures and the little moments—so we can appreciate the scope of human experiences and make informed decisions about our future.
In the complex world we live in today, it is imperative that the MHS take an active role in defining what it means to interact with history. Programs, educational workshops, and exhibitions are just a few of the ways that the MHS engages with the public, promotes the relevance of history, and helps to improve the understanding of the role of civics in public life.
Your gift will directly impact our efforts to share the stories, people, and experiences of the past that enable people to think critically and make informed decisions today.
For financial donations, please visit www.masshist.org/support/mhsfund or e-mail development@masshist.org.
The MHS Tax ID is 042108374.
Gifts to the MHS Fund allow us to continue fulfilling our mission to promote understanding of the history of Massachusetts and the nation by collecting and communicating materials and resources that foster historical knowledge. Contributions also support special projects, including exhibitions and publications.
Please visit www.masshist.org/annual-reports for MHS Annual Reports, financial statements, Massachusetts form PC, and Federal Form 990.
Learn more about MHS publications at www.masshist.org/publications.
Adams Papers Volumes are available for purchase from:
Harvard University Press
79 Garden Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
800-405–1619
www.hup.harvard.edu
The MHS Library is free and open to the public. Please note that anyone wishing to access the library must complete our registration process. Learn more about using our library by visiting www.masshist.org/library.
View our calendar of events at www.masshist.org/events. If you missed a program, would like to revisit the material presented, or are interested in viewing past programs, visit www.masshist.org/video.
Learn more at www.masshist.org/support/mhsfund.
Please visit www.masshist.org/job-announcements to learn about open positions.
Please send internship inquiries to ebarrie@masshist.org.
Note: Members of the press are subject to an expedited permissions process. If you have a tight deadline or would like more information, please contact Carol Knauff at cknauff@masshist.org.
