Call for Papers: MHS Graduate Student Symposium

"Collecting History: The Massachusetts Historical Society Graduate Symposium"

"I must study Politicks and War that my Sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. my Sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting Poetry Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine." - John Adams, Letter to Abigail Adams, post 12 May 1780.

Inspired by John Adams' educational blueprint and continuing a long tradition of support for emerging scholars, the Massachusetts Historical Society will host "Collecting History: The Massachusetts Historical Society Graduate Symposium," an interdisciplinary conference for graduate students, on Saturday, 4 June 2011. Researchers are encouraged to make use of the Historical Society's extensive collections, which offer an unparalleled resource for the study of American history from the colonial period through the twentieth century. Focusing on American history and related aspects of world history, the program will consist of several themed panels and a keynote address from a distinguished scholar. Papers will be substantial, pre-circulated essays and will be accessible online for attendees. Conference registration is free. Proposals from various disciplines welcome. Please key proposals to one of these topics:

--The Personal Papers of Three Presidents (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson)

--Politics & War & Philosophy

--History of Women and Gender

-- Navigation, Commerce, & the Natural World

--Immigration and Urban History

--Painting, Poetry, & Architecture

Please email abstract (300-500 words) and biography (150-300 words) to conference coordinators Sara Georgini (sgeorgini@masshist.org) and Kathleen Barker (kbarker@masshist.org) by Tuesday, 18 January 2011. Presenters will be notified by Tuesday, 1 February 2011.