By Dan Hinchen

On Tuesday, 31 March, come in at 5:15PM for an Early American History Seminar called “Frontiers and Geopolitics of Early America.” This installment is presented by Patrick Spero of Williams College with Kate Grandjean, Wellesley College, providing comment. The seminar is free and open to the public though an RSVP is required. You can also subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers. 

Then, on Wednesday, 1 April, pack a lunch and come by at noon for a Brown Bag talk given by Krista Kinslow of Boston Univesity. Ms. Kinslow will discuss her current research project, “Contesting the Centennial: Civil War Memory at the 1876 World’s Fair.” As always, this brown bag talk is free and open to the public and starts at 12:00PM. No fooling!

Also on Wednesday, 1 April, is the second installment in the Lincoln & the Legacy of Conflict Series. Join us as author and editor Richard Brookhiser presents “Founders’ Son: A Portrait of Abraham Lincoln,” the title of his newest book. Registration is required for this event with a fee of $20 (no charge for Fellows and Members). The events begins at 6:00PM with a pre-talk reception starting at 5:30PM. 

On Thursday, 2 April, is the next Biography Seminar, this time featuring Dave Sobel, author of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, in conversation with Susan Ware. The seminar is free and open to the public though an RSVP is required. You can also subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers. The program begins at 5:30PM. 

And on Saturday, 4 April, we have two items on the calendar. First is our weekly tour, the History and Collections of the MHS, a 90-minute docent-led walk through our public rooms. The tour is free, open to the public, with no need for reservations. If you would like to bring a larger party (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org. While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition, “God Save the People!” which explores events leading up to the American Revolution.

Finally, on Saturday afternoon, starting at 1:00PM is “Begin at the Beginning: Boston’s Founding Documents.” This is the second of our lively MHS/Partnership of Historic Bostons co-hosted discussions, this time focusing on John Winthrop’s journal. The discussion is open to all, though the discussion group is limited to 15; available on a first come first served basis. Links to the documents are available at the registration site. (Registration for this discussion group is coordinated by the Partnership of Historic Bostons).

By Dan Hinchen

On Tuesday, 24 March, come in at 5:15PM for a seminar from the Immigration and Urban History series. Come listen as Thomas Chen from Brown University discusses “Remaking Boston’s Chinatown: Race, Place, and Redevelopment after World War II.” Jim Vrabel, author of A People’s History of the New Boston will be on-hand to provide comment. Seminars are free and open to the public;  RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

Looking for some lunchtime learning? If so, come in on Wednesday, 25 March, for “Allegiance and Protection: The Problem of Subjecthood in the Glorious Revolution, 1680-1695.” This Brown Bag talk is presented by Alex Jablonski, State University of New York at Binghamton, and is free and open to the public. So pack a lunch and come on down!

And on Thursday, 26 March, join us at 6:00PM for the first event in a series called Lincoln and the Legacy of Conflict. “A Civil Conversation” is an author talk and conversation featuring James McPherson and Louis Masur, facilitated by Carol Bundy. The program is open to the public at a fee of $20 (no charge for Fellows and Members). Registration is required; please RSVP. A pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM.

Part 2 of Lincoln and the Legacy of Conflict takes place on Saturday, 28 March, this time taking the form of a Teacher Workshop. “Emancipation & Assassination: Remembering Abraham Lincoln” will highlight digital resources available from the MHS and Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln-related treatures from the Society’s collections, and discover methods for teaching Lincoln’s life and legacy. A fee of $25 includes lunch and materials. For more information, contact the education department at education@masshist.org or 617-646-0557. To register, complete our Registration Form and send it to the education department at education@masshist.org.

Lastly, there is also a tour on Saturday, 28 March. Beginning at 10:00AM, The History and Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society Tour is a 90-minute docent-led walk through our public rooms. The tour is free, open to the public, with no need for reservations. If you would like to bring a larger party (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition, “God Save the People!” which explores events leading up to the American Revolution. 

By Dan Hinchen

Come by on Tuesday, 17 March, for another Environmental History Seminar. This time around, Katherine Johnston of Columbia University presents “An Enervating Environment: Altered Bodies in the Lowcountry and the British West Indies.” Conevery Bolton Valencius from the University of Massachusetts – Boston will provide comment. The talk begins at 5:15PM and is free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers. Rescheduled from February 10.

On Wednesday, 18 March, bring a lunch at 12:00PM for “Networks of Faith and Finance: Boston’s Scottish Exile Community in the Later Seventeenth Century.” This Brown Bag talk is given by Craig Gallagher of Boston College. This event is free and open to the public. 

Also on Wednesday, 18 March, is the third installment of the Landscape Architecture Series. This time around, independent author Elizabeth Hope Cushing presents “Landscape Architect Arthur Shurcliff.” There is a reception for the event at 5:30PM with the talk beginning at 6:00PM. The talk is open to the public with a fee of $10 (no charge for Fellows and Members of the MHS, Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Nichols House Museum). Registration is required; please RSVP.

And on Saturday, 21 March, come by for History and Collections of the MHS, a 90-minute, docent-led tour that explores the public space at the Society. Hear a bit about the collections, history, art, and architecture at 1154 Boylston Street. These tours are free and open to the public with no need to set an appointment for individuals and small groups. Parties of 8 or more should contact Art Curator Anne Bentley in advance at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org. 

Finally, don’t forget to stop in and view our current exhibition! “God Save the People! From the Stamp Act to Bunker Hill” is open to the public Mon-Sat, 10:00AM-4:00PM, free of charge. 

By Dan Hinchen

On Tuesday, 10 March, there is an Environmental History Seminar beginning at 5:15PM. All are welcome to join us for “Fear of an Open Beach: The Privatization of the Connecticut Shore and the Fate of Coastal America.” This seminar features Andrew W. Kahrl of the University of Virginia, with Karl Haglund, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, providing comment. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

Then, on Wednesday, 11 March, is the next installment of the Landscape Architecture Series. In this program, Keith Morgan, Director of Architectural Studies – Boston University, presents “The Brookline Troika: Olmsted, Richardson, Sargent and the Planning of a ‘Model Community.'” A pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM and the talk begins at 6:00PM. This talk is open to the public with a fee of $10 (no charge for Fellows and Members of the MHS, Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Nichols House Museum). Registration is required; Please RSVP. 

And on Saturday, 14 March, come in at 10:00AM for a free tour. The History and Collections of the MHS is a 90-minute docent-led walk through the public spaces here at the Society and provides some background on the art, history, collections, and architecture of the MHS. The tour is free and open to the public. Larger parties (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley in advance at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org. While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition, “God Save the People!” which explores events leading up to the American Revolution. 

By Dan Hinchen

At last it is time to leave February behind. As the snow starts to melt, why not come in to the MHS for some history?

On Tuesday, 3 March, there is an Early American History Seminar taking place at 5:15PM. Join us as Elizabeth Cover of Boston presents “Degrees of Britishness: The People of Albany, New York, and Questions of Cultural Community Membership,” with Lisa Wilson of Connecticut College providing comment. Seminars are free and open to the public; RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

On Wednesday, 4 March, at noon is a Brown Bag lunch talk given by Robert Shimp of Boston University. The talk is titled “John Quincy Adams and the Paradox of Anglo-American Relations in the Early Republic: The London Years, 1815-1817.” Brown Bags are free and open to the public. Pack a lunch and stop on by!

Also on Wednesday, join us at 6:00PM for “Charles Eliot and the Modernization of Boston’s Landscape,” part of the Landscape Architect Series. This talk is given by Anita Berrizbeitia, Professor of Landscape Architecture – Harvard Gradute School of Design. The event is open to the public with a $10 fee, registration required (no charge for Fellows and Members of the MHS, Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Nichols House Museum). Please RSVP. Pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM. 

Finally, on Saturday, 7 March, come by at 10:00AM for a free tour. The History and Collections of the MHS is a 90-minute docent-led tour of the public spaces at the Society, touching on the art, collections, architecture, and history of the MHS. No reservations required for individuals or small groups. However, parties of 8 or more should please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

While you’re here you will also have the opportunity to view our current exhibition, “God Save the People! From the Stamp Act to Bunker Hill,” open to the public Monday-Friday, 10:00AM-4:00PM, free of charge. 

By Dan Hinchen

On Tuesday, 24 February, joing us at 5:15PM for an Immigration and Urban History Seminar. “‘I Had Ample Opportunity to Notice the City as It then Was’: Social and Economic Geographies in New York City, 1783-1830,” is presented by Carl Smith of Providence College. Joshua Greenberg of Bridgewater State College provides comment. This event is free and open to the public, RSVP required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

On Thursday, 26 February, MHS Fellows and Members are invited to a special preview of and reception for “God Save the People! From the Stamp Act to Bunker Hill.” This exhibition tells the story of the coming of the American Revolution in Boston, using letters and diaries, political cartoons, newspapers, maps, artifacts, and portraits. The reception begins at 6:00PM. Registration required at no cost.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, 27 February, and is on view Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-4:00PM, until 4 September 2015. 

With the opening of the new exhibition we will also return to hosting our free Saturday tours! Come by on Saturday, 28 February for the History and Collections of the MHS, a 90-minute docent-led walk throught the public spaces at the Society’s home on Boylston St. The tours are open to the public free of charge. No reservation required for individual or small groups. If you would like to bring a larger party (8 or more), please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

By Dan Hinchen

As we endure yet another snowstorm here in Boston, we are entering a shortened week again, this time thanks to a holiday. Please note that the Society is closed on Monday, 16 February, in observance of President’s Day. If you plan to come in for any of our upcoming events, please check our website or call the Society before your visit to ensure that the event is proceeding as scheduled. 

First up this week on Tuesday, 17 February, is a midday author talk featuring Thomas de Waal, Senior Associate – Carnegie Endowmentfor International Peace. Join us at 12:00PM for his talk entitled “The Great Catastrophe: Armenians and Turks Come to Terms with Genocide, Memory, and Identity.” This talk is free and open to the public. 

The event scheduled for Wednesday, 18 February, “Comic Books in the History Classroom,” is POSTPONED. Contact the education department at education@masshist.org or 617-646-0557. To inquire about rescheduling. 

And on Thursday, 19 February, come in for the third program in the Adams Family Series. This time, independent author Rosanna Wan presents “The Culinary Lives of John and Abigail Adams: A Cookbook.” Registration is required for this event at a cost of $10 (no charge for MHS Fellows and Members). Please call 617-646-0578 to register, or click here. There is a reception that begins at 5:30PM and the talk begins at 6:00PM. 

By Dan Hinchen

Assuming that we are not affected by another snow storm, there are a few events happening mid-week here at the Society. 

Kicking things off on Tuesday, 10 February, is an Environmental History Seminar. Beginning at 5:15PM, Katherine Johnston of Columbia University presents “An Enervating Environment: Altered Bodies in the Lowcountry and British West Indies,” an examination of the interactions between humans and the environment in the eighteenth century. Conevery Bolton Valencius of the University of Massachusetts – Boston provides comment. This event is free and open to the public, though RSVP is required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers.

On Wednesday, 11 February, join us at 6:00PM for an author talk with Maureen Meister as she presents “Arts and Crafts Architecture: History and Heritage in New England.” Registration is required for this event with a fee of $10 (no charge for MHS Fellows and Members). Click here to register. A pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM.

And on Thursday, 12 February, we are doubling-up on the events, though both are off-site. First, beginning at 5:30PM is a History of Women and Gender Seminar. “Her Hat Will Not Down: Sumptuary Laws and Consumer Rights in 1890s Chicago” is presented by Emily A. Remus of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, with Ardis Cameron of the University of Southern Maine providing comment. Please note that this event is taking place at the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University. The seminar is free and open to the public, RSVP required.

Also on Thursday, there is a special event that is open only to MHS Fund Giving Circle Members. “Everday Life in America: Behind Closed Doors” begins at 6:00PM with a reception, followed by a gallery tour led by Curator David Wood. Please note that this event is taking place at the Concord Museum in Concord, Mass. Space is limited. To reserve, please call 617-646-0543.

By Dan Hinchen

January is in the bag and as February arrives we have a lot on the calendar here at the Society. Now that we have officially had our first blizzard of the year, be sure to check for building closures and event cancelations during bad weather before visiting the MHS.

Starting things off this month on Tuesday, 3 February, is a panel discussion titled “Slavery in Early Massachusetts.” This talk features Barbara A. Mathews of Historic Deerfield and Gloria McCahon Whiting of Harvard University and focuses on papers written by each of them. Maria A. Bollettino of Framingham State University provides comment. The talk begins at 5:15PM and is free and open to the public. RSVP is required for this event. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers. 

On Wednesday, 4 February, we have a Brown Bag lunch talk given by one of our current MHS-NEH Long-term Research Fellows, Erin Kappeler. Swing by at noon with a lunch as she discusses her research project, “Everyday Laureates: Community Poetry in New England, 1865-1900.” This talk is free and open to the public. 

Up next on the list is the second program in the Adams Series. In this installment, Charles Edel of the U.S. Naval War College presents “Nation Builder: John Quincy Adams and the Grand Strategy of the Republic.” Registration is required for this event at a cost of $10 (no charge for Fellows and Members). Pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM on Thursday, 5 February, with the talk beginning at 6:00PM. Please call 617-646-0578 to register or click here.

Finally, on Saturday, 7 February, there is an afternoon public program brought to you by the MHS and the Partnership of the Historic Bostons. Starting at 1:00PM, “Begin at the Beginning: Boston’s Founding Documents” will look at the documents at the heart of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This is the first meeting in a new series of discussions and is chaired by Partnership President Rose A. Doherty. This event is free to the public on a first come, first served basis, and is limited to 15 people. Please RSVP. Links to the documents are available at the registration site. (Registration for this discussion group is coordinated by the Partnership of the Historic Bostons).

By Dan Hinchen

The Immigration and Urban History seminar scheduled for Tuesday, 27 January, “Interpreters in Ellis Island: A Tool for Americanization, 1892-1954,” is CANCELED. 

However, you can still come in on Thursday for an author talk at 6:00PM. Join us as independent author, Phyllis Lee Levin, presents “The Remarkable Education of John Quincy Adams.” This is the first event in the Adams Family Series of programs. Registration is required for this event with a fee of $10 (no charge for Fellows and Members). Pre-talk reception begins at 5:30PM. Please call 617-646-0578 to register. 

Please note that our exhibition, “Letters  and Photographs from the Battle Country” is now CLOSED. Our upcoming exhibit opens on Friday, 27 February, and is titled “God Save the People! From the Stamp Act to Bunker Hill.” Be sure to check it out! 

Finally, there will be no Saturday tours until our next exhibition is open. Please refer to our online calendar to see the current schedule.