Born and raised in a New England garrison town, Esther Wheelwright (1696–1780) was captured by Wabanaki Indians at age seven. Among them, she became a Catholic and lived like any other young girl in the tribe. At age twelve, she was enrolled at a French-Canadian Ursuline convent, where she would spend the rest of her life, eventually becoming the order’s only foreign-born mother superior. Among these three major cultures of colonial North America, Wheelwright’s life was exceptional: border-crossing, multilingual, and multicultural. Ann Little leads us through her life and the communities of girls and women around her.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

Stephen Kurkjian, a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter for The Boston Globe, was the newspaper’s lead reporter on the Gardner art heist. He’ll give a dramatic narrative of the theft in which two men dressed as police officers were able to trick their way into the museum after hours and make off with priceless masterpieces. More than a quarter century later, none of the 13 pieces that were stolen have been recovered. Kurkjian will share details on the investigation and offer a possible missing motive.

This program is free.

“Old Ironsides” has been a source of pride for Massachusetts for well over 200 years. Launched in 1797, just six years after the founding of the MHS, the War of 1812 icon and the Society have been sharing stories for centuries. Naval historian Margherita M. Desy will describe some of the hidden treasures uncovered in the recent restoration of the Constitution and highlight resources at MHS that help tell the story of the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat.

What was it like to go from being President of the United States to serving as a representative in Congress? Find out by immersing yourself in the diary of John Quincy Adams (JQA). Join the Massachusetts Historical Society’s first transcribe-a-thon! Held in celebration of JQA’s 250th birthday, the purpose of the JQA250 Transcribe-a-thon is to help the Adams Papers editorial project make more of the 15,000-page JQA Diary available online. While the ability to read handwriting is necessary, no transcription experience is required. Bring your laptop or use one of ours. Come for the day or pop in for a little while. All are welcome! Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. Registration is free and open to the public. For more information, or to register, contact Gwen Fries: gfries@masshist.org; 617-646-0556. 

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There is no “Boston Historical Society,” but the metro area does have a wealth of history organizations. Boston and surrounding towns are steeped in local history and the inhabitants are proud of their local identity. The MHS is pleased to hold a reception for history buffs and representatives of local organizations to mingle, share recent accomplishments, and talk about the great projects on which they are working.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

Gerry Studds, America’s first openly gay congressman, fought in Congress to allow gays to serve in the military, fund AIDS research, and enact marriage equality. He was a champion of coastal and ocean environmental issues and helped to protect the American fishing industry. He was among the leading congressional opponents of President Reagan’s wars in Central America. Perhaps most importantly, he left a vivid unpublished memoir of his life as a closeted gay man in the public eye. Mark Schneider used this memoir and other items from the collection of the MHS to write the first biography of this important leader.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.

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: The Irish Atlantic: A Story of Famine Migration and Opportunity.