Publications
The Massachusetts Historical Society began publishing books in 1792 and is one of the oldest, continually operating publishers in the United States. The categories below provide an overview of the work made available by the MHS, including printed books, electronic publications, and a newsletter and scholarly journal.
The MHS Publishes
As part of its mission, the MHS maintains its own publishing program and hosts the offices of the Adams Papers Editorial Project. Follow the links below to find more information about these resources.
Print and Digital Editions Published by the MHS
The MHS publishes works that provide information about and make available the content of some of its most significant collections and the people who created them.
Featured Publication
In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry
By Sarah Nehama. Prefaces by Sarah Nehama and Anne E. Bentley.
The companion volume for the exhibition of the same title, In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry features full-color photographs of prime examples of rings, bracelets, brooches, and other pieces of mourning jewelry from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These elegant and evocative objects are presented in context, including written explanations of the history, use, and meaning of the jewelry, as well as related pieces of material culture. The jewelry illustrates some of the most exemplary types, from early gold bands with death’s head iconography to jeweled brooches and intricately woven hairwork pieces of the Civil War era.
128 pages, 110 color illustrations
Distributed by the University of Virginia Press
Purchase directly from Amazon
$35 Paperback (2012) ISBN: 978-1-936520-03-9
Adams Papers Editorial Project
The Adams Papers project was founded in 1954 to prepare a comprehensive published edition of the manuscripts written and received by the family of John Adams of Quincy, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Historical Review (annual journal)
Available in print or digital format, the Massachusetts Historical Review (MHR) publishes essays, photo-essays, historical documents, and review articles each autumn. Every issue offers pieces rich in narrative grace and thoughtful analysis, prepared for all readers interested in the history of the Commonwealth, from its settlement to the 21st century.
MHS Miscellany (newsletter)
The MHS issues the Miscellany, its newsletter, twice a year, and distributes it to the Society's Members and Fellows. Find out more.
