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About MHS
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About the Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is an independent research library
and manuscript repository. Its holdings encompass millions of
rare and unique documents and artifacts vital to the study of
American history, many of them irreplaceable national treasures.
A few examples include correspondence between John and Abigail
Adams, such as her famous "Remember the ladies";
several imprints of the Declaration of Independence;
and Thomas Jefferson's architectural drawings.
The Founding When the Reverend Jeremy Belknap, a Boston minister, brought together nine acquaintances in a friend's parlor on January 24, 1791, his goal was to find a way to gather and protect the basic sources of American history. As he envisioned it, the historical society would become a repository and a publisher collecting, preserving, and disseminating resources for the study of American history. Through their pledges of family papers, books, and artifacts the founding members made the Society the nation's most important historical repository by the end of their initial meeting. With the appearance of their first title at the start of 1792, they also made the MHS the nation's first institution of any description to publish in its field.
The Society Today In the two centuries since the founding of the MHS, its mission has remained constant: to collect, preserve, make accessible, and communicate manuscripts that promote the study of Massachusetts and the nation. The institution today encompasses five programmatic areas: Library, Publications, Research Programs, The Adams Papers, and Education and Public Programming. The MHS is a member of the Independent Research Library Association (IRLA).
See the list of our Board of Trustees Our Mission and Vision Statements Mission Statement The Massachusetts Historical Society is an independent research library that collects, preserves, makes accessible, and communicates manuscripts and other materials in order to promote the study of the history of Massachusetts and the nation-a mission it has pursued since 1791. Vision Statement The Massachusetts Historical Society is committed to the principle that public knowledge of the nation's past is fundamental to its future. As an independent research library, now in our third century, we remain true to our vision of building a future for our past. In renewing this commitment for the twenty-first century, we will establish and maintain the highest scholarly and professional standards in all of our activities, and we will pursue national recognition and support for the Society's crucial role in the understanding of American history. The Society will remain a center for collecting, research, scholarship, and publishing. At its heart, the MHS is a manuscript repository holding extraordinary collections of personal papers, not only of three presidents--John and John Quincy Adams and Thomas Jefferson--but of thousands of individuals and families; these papers document the entire course of American history. We will continue to add to our holdings and acquire new collections. Traditional library activities as well as digital initiatives will underpin the fulfillment of our mission. We will provide the public with an expanded array of programs and materials, offered through a variety of means, to enhance the understanding of our nation's past and its connection to the present day. We will continue to find creative ways to reach the next generation of learners by making positive contributions to the teaching of history. To realize this vision, the MHS will secure sufficient funding and staffing to support its operations and technology infrastructure and to ensure its long-term financial health. The Society will continue to safeguard its extraordinary collections and improve and protect its historic landmark building. Staff will receive appropriate compensation and opportunities for professional development and will work in an environment that encourages and values collaboration. We welcome everyone to support our mission, use our resources, take part in our programs, and become a member. Read the Strategic Plan Summary (pdf download)
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Massachusetts Historical Society 1154 Boylston Street (directions) Boston, MA 02215-3695 Tel: 617.536.1608 Fax: 617.859.0074 |
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