Massachusetts Historical Society

Graphic of founding fathers discussing the Declaration of Independence. Words above read, "1776: Declaring Independence." Below reads, "Discover how Americans drafted a path to liberty. March 6 through December 19, 2026. Presented by the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Adams Presidential Library."

“1776: Declaring Independence” opens Friday, March 6, at the MHS! This new exhibit features rarely seen copies of the Declaration of Independence, an extraordinary Dunlap broadside, and more. Discover how the Declaration grew from draft to founding document. Learn more: www.masshist.org/exhibitions

Headshot of Elizabeth Hines next to Historians & Their Histories logo. Below the logo is the Episode number and title of the episode; "Anglo-Dutch Relations in Early Colonial America with Elizabeth Hines."

On the new episode of Historians & Their Histories, Dr. Elizabeth Hines discusses her research into the relations between New England and New Netherland in the 17th century, which grew out of a broader project on Anglo-Dutch relations across the globe. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Graphic reading the name of program, "Literary Exiles: New Lives of Jessica Mitford & James Baldwin." The top of the graphic reads, "Program Postponed." The bottom reads, "New date to be announced."

POSTPONED: “Literary Exiles: New Lives of Jessica Mitford & James Baldwin." This seminar, originally scheduled for February 25, will be rescheduled to a future date. Stay tuned to the MHS event calendar for updates. www.masshist.org/eve...

Image of two handwritten letters by John and Abigail Adams over a pamphlet title page reading, "Small Pox." Text boxes over the letters and title page read, "How did John and Abigail Adams respond to the threat of smallpox?" At the bottom is a footer reading, "The Object of History podcast, Season 5 episode, Episode 2. Season 5, Episode 2: The “King of Terrors”: Smallpox in the American Revolution."

Season 5, Episode 2 of the Object of History podcast delves into the origins of smallpox inoculation, considers debates around inoculating Continental Army troops, and features the correspondence of John and Abigail Adams. Listen now: www.masshist.org/podcast/seas...

Graphic promoting the Indigenous Identity, Diplomacy & Sovereignty in the American Revolution program at the MHS. At the top is the title program, then below are headshots of the the two speakers at the program. Below this, is text reading, "A program that centers the experiences of Indigenous individuals and nations during the American Revolution." Below this is text reading, "February 26, 6:00 - 7:00 PM ET, Virtual event."

On Feb. 26, join us for an online program with Lorén Spears and Christine DeLucia centered around roles that Indigenous individuals and nations played in the American Revolution and the effects the war had on them. Register: www.masshist.org/events/indig...

Historians & Their Histories podcast graphic. At the top is the podcast logo next to an image of Blake Grindon. Below the graphic reads, "Episode 28: Beyond the Legend: Jane McCrea, Indigenous Warriors, and the Revolutionary War Narratives with Blake Grindon."

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Dr. Blake Grindon examines the 1777 death of Jane McCrea during the British Saratoga campaign and how this event became a powerful propaganda tool in the American Revolution. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Collage featuring various items from the MHS collection related to Black history in Boston, Mass.

Last chance to register for tomorrow's hybrid program, "Whose Independence: Black Experiences during the American Revolution." Join us as panelists discuss the experiences of free and enslaved Black people during the American Revolution. Register here: www.masshist.org/events/whose...

"Remembering Fernald: Uncovering the Hidden History of Disability in Massachusetts" program. Below is an image of author Alex Green next to a book cover. Below, text reads: Join us as Alex Green discusses what he uncovered in his book on the complicated legacy of Walter E. Fernald. February 12 | 6:00–7:00 PM ET In person at the MHS & online."

Register today for “Remembering Fernald: Uncovering the Hidden History of Disability in Massachusetts,” a hybrid program with Alex Green, Harvard Kennedy School, on February 12, 6:00 PM ET. www.masshist.org/events/remem...

Graphic for "Historians & Their Histories" episode 27, "The British Atlantic Islands in the Age of Revolutions with Ross Nedervelt." At the top of the graphic is the Historians and Their Histories logo. To the right is an image of Nedervelt smiling at the camera.

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Dr. Ross Nedervelt explores why Bermuda and the Bahamas held strategic significance for the United States during the Age of the American Revolution. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Graphic promoting the exhibit, "The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement." At the bottom is a 1775 watercolor illustration of two soldiers pointing towards building, with water in the background.

Opening February 11! "The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement" exhibit at the Old State House, presented by Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Learn more here: revolutionaryspaces.org/explore/exhi...

Graphic for "Historians & Their Histories" episode 26, "Sally Forth: A Historical Novel with Monique Hayes." At the top of the graphic is the Historians and Their Histories logo. To the right is an image of Hayes smiling at the camera.

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," independent scholar and author Monique Hayes discusses her historical fiction novel which follows two Black brothers who take opposing paths during the American Revolution. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Graphic says "Teacher Workshops Winter 2026" Below is a painted portrait of a Black woman wearing white bonnet and a color photo of 2 girls working on a tri-fold project

K-12 educators, the MHS is offering two teacher workshops this winter:
- Elizabeth Freeman & the End of Slavery in Massachusetts
- Project-Based Learning in the Social Studies Classroom: An Introduction to National History Day in MA

More details on our website:
www.masshist.org/allevents?ca...

Map of Boston from 1775 with a question at the top: "Why did so many key events of the American Revolution happen in Boston?" Below, there are several text boxes in the shape of red ribbons with the words: "Population? Geography? Trade?" At the bottom, text within a white box reads: "Season 5, Episode 1: The Spark: How Boston Ignited the American Revolution." "The Object of History podcast."

The Object of History podcast’s new season is here! On this first episode, we ask several historians for their thoughts on why Boston helped light the spark of the American Revolution. @bplmaps.bsky.social Click here to listen: www.masshist.org/podcast/seas...

Researcher looks at book in the MHS reading room.

Deadlines are approaching for 2026-2027 research fellowship applications! Join our scholarly community and enrich your historical scholarship at the MHS. Apply now: masshistfellowships.slideroom.com?fbclid=IwY2x...

Collage of five different images from the MHS collection. On the left is a man breaking free of chains, a woman looking to the left, a picture of a young boy and girl sitting for a portrait, an image of Phillis Wheatley, and Frederick Douglass.

Join us on Jan. 20 for our next African American History seminar, "'We Aren't Going to Close Up": The History of FCM in Humphreys County." Christina Thomas with comments by Rachel Devlin. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

Collage of five different images from the MHS collection. To the left is an image of soldiers shooting in a line, then an etching of a Native American person, then a painting of an older woman looking straight ahead, then an etching of Paul Revere riding his horse and pointing to the left, then an etching of Phillis Wheatley.

Join us on Jan. 15 for our next Early American History seminar, "Enemies: Treatment & Perception of the Defeated in the American Revolution—A Panel Discussion." Susan Brynne Long and Tanner Ogle with comments by Rebecca Brannon. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

Collage of environmental history related images from the MHS collection.

Join us on Jan. 13 for our next Environmental History seminar, "Industrializing Olfaction: How Soapmakers Changed the Urban American Smellscape in the Late 19th Century & Early 20th Century." Shiqi Wang with comments by Melanie A. Kiechle. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

Graphic for Episode 25 of Historians and their Histories. At the top of the graphic is the Historians and their Histories logo next to a headshot of Ethan Gonzles, smiling at the camera. Below reads, "Episode 25: Communicating Credibility: Diplomatic Agents and Information Strategies in Early America with Ethan Gonzales."

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Ethan Gonzales examines the "information ecosystem" of the 1790s and how the United States, as a young republic in a world of monarchies, faced a barrage of state-sponsored disinformation and rumors. Listen here: www.masshist.org/pod...

Collage of five different images from the MHS collection. On the left is a man breaking free of chains, a woman looking to the left, a picture of a young boy and girl sitting for a portrait, an image of Phillis Wheatley, and Frederick Douglass.

Join us on Jan. 8 for our next African American History seminar, "Identity & Social Movements in the Mid-to Late 20th Century—A Panel Discussion." Paul Michael Thomson and Jia Zhang with comments by Salamishah Tillet. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

Historians & Their Histories podcast episode, Episode 24, "First-ever LIVE audience taping with special guests Madeline DeDe Panken, C.R. Elliott, Arthur George Kimera Kamya, and Betsy Klima. Graphic at the top shows the logo for "Historians & Their Histories," next to the an image of the historians sitting at a table in front of an audience with the projector in the background showing the logo for the Historians & Their Histories podcast.

The new "Historians & Their Histories" episode is the first to feature a live audience! Special guests Madeline DeDe Panken, C.R. Elliott, Arthur George Kimera Kamya, and Betsy Klima share their journeys to becoming historians. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Watercolor painting showing two British soldiers looking out over landscape of Boston in 1775

December 19th is the last day to see the exhibition “1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution” before it closes!
Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution through letters, diary accounts, and artifacts from the MHS collection. www.masshist.org/exhibitions

Handwritten diary in display case open to show entries

250 years ago, Henry Knox led a daring mission to transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga back to Boston. He documented his journey in a diary that is one of the treasures of the MHS collection. View the diary in our current exhibit until Dec. 19 or read it online: www.masshist.org/database/463.

Collage of environmental history related images from the MHS collection.

Join us on Dec. 9 for our next Environmental History seminar, "'So Wide a Chase": Melvillian Whaling in the Twenty-First Century Caribbean." Author Russell Fielding with comments by Dan Lanier. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

JQA is now on Bluesky! @jqadams-mhs.bsky.social

We heard you! JQA is now on Bluesky: @jqadams-mhs.bsky.social

The John Quincy Adams line-a-day diary is now on Bluesky! We're looking forward to what @jqadams-mhs.bsky.social has in store for the rest of 1825.

Graphic for Episode 23 of Historians and their Histories. At the top of the graphic is the Historians and their Histories logo next to a headshot of Eric Totten, smiling at the camera. Below reads, "Episode 23: The Federal Department of the South with Eric Totten."

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Eric Totten discusses his research on the Federal Department of the South, focusing on New England regiments that carried conservative, anti-abolitionist, and nativist beliefs into the Civil War. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Collage of five different images from the MHS collection. To the left is an image of soldiers shooting in a line, then an etching of a Native American person, then a painting of an older woman looking straight ahead, then an etching of Paul Revere riding his horse and pointing to the left, then an etching of Phillis Wheatley.

Join us on Dec. 2 for "The Devil Unleashed: The Royal Navy in Boston, 1685–1687." Author Steven Pitt with comments by Stephen R. Berry. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve...

Image of the MHS reading room with researchers sitting at desks. MHS staff librarians patrol the room, assisting researchers as needed.

Research fellowship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now open! Join our scholarly community and enrich your historical scholarship at the MHS. Apply now: masshistfellowships.slideroom.com?fbclid=IwY2x...

Image of a large iron lung in an exhibit at the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation.

On the latest bonus episode of The Object of History podcast, we visit the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation and learn about some of the museum’s most significant items related to the history of medicine. Listen here: www.masshist.org/podcast/seas...