Peter Drummey, Chief Historian at Massachusetts Historical Society, to Retire After 47 Years with the Institution
Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai to be named Peter Drummey Chief Historian
The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS), the nation’s first historical society and a premier steward of American history, announces the retirement of Chief Historian Peter Drummey, one of the longest-serving staff members in the institution’s history, after 47 years of dedicated service. The Peter Drummey Chief Historian position, funded by an anonymous landmark gift, was established in 2024 in his honor. Upon Drummey’s retirement in November, Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, the Society’s director of research, will assume the role of Peter Drummey Chief Historian.
Drummey’s remarkable career at the MHS progressed through several roles before he was named Chief Historian in 2022. His tenure has been marked by his deep knowledge of the Society’s collections and a commitment to making history accessible to a wide audience. He has supported thousands of researchers, curated landmark exhibitions, and served as a trusted expert for journalists.
A native of Duxbury, Mass., Drummey attended college and graduate school at Columbia University in New York City. After graduating from the program to train rare book librarians and archivists in the School of Library Service at Columbia, he returned to Massachusetts, where he was the curator of manuscripts at the New England Historic Genealogical Society before joining the staff of the MHS in 1978. Prior to becoming the Chief Historian, Peter had served as the Society’s Stephen T. Riley Librarian since 1987.
“It has been a privilege to spend my career at the Massachusetts Historical Society, surrounded by collections that illuminate the history of our nation and the people who have come here to study them,” said Peter Drummey. “What I will remember with great pleasure are lively conversations with researchers, colleagues, and visitors who share my passion for history. I know the MHS is in excellent hands, and I look forward to seeing how the next generation of historians carries this critical work forward.”
Dr. Wongsrichanalai, a scholar of American history, has been a key member of the MHS team since 2019, specializing in Civil War and Reconstruction eras, as well as 19th-century American social and military history. His expertise and vision will be instrumental as the MHS continues to fulfill its mission, including current initiatives related to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
As the Peter Drummey Chief Historian, Dr. Wongsrichanalai will help to promote the work and resources of the MHS, encourage a richer understanding of the past, explain the significance of the Society’s collection, and inspire audiences of all kinds to learn more. He will continue to oversee the MHS research initiatives, including a robust fellowship program, seven engaging seminar series, biennial research conferences, and informative podcasts, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of scholarly excellence.
Prior to joining the MHS, Dr. Wongsrichanalai was Associate Professor of History at Angelo State University (Texas), where he taught a variety of courses, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, Gender History, Military History, and Animals in History, among others. He is the author of Northern Character: College-Educated New Englanders, Honor, Nationalism, and Leadership in the Civil War Era (2016), and the co-editor of So Conceived and So Dedicated: Northern Intellectuals in the Civil War Era (2015) and Wars Civil and Great: The American Experience in the Civil War and World War I (2023). He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and earned his Ph.D. in American History at the University of Virginia.
"I met Peter Drummey when I first came to the Massachusetts Historical Society as a young graduate student nearly 20 years ago,” said Dr. Wongsrichanalai. “Since then, he has been a mentor and a friend. I have always been amazed by his encyclopedic knowledge of both the MHS collections and historical events in general. For those of us who have benefited from his expertise, generosity, encouragement, and inspiration over the years, he will always be the embodiment of the MHS. I am humbled by the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and carry on the mission of the MHS to communicate a deeper understanding of our shared past for the betterment of both the present and future."
Lisa Krassner, the new president of the MHS, praised both Drummey’s service and Wongsrichanalai’s promotion. “As I step into the role as President of the MHS, it’s clear that Peter’s depth of knowledge and his generosity in sharing it have shaped generations of researchers, educators, and the public. We are deeply grateful for his extraordinary contributions. At the same time, we are thrilled that Dr. Wongsrichanalai will continue Peter’s legacy as Chief Historian. His expertise, creativity, and leadership will ensure that the MHS continues to thrive as a national resource and as a vital voice in American history.”
As the nation's first historical society, the MHS remains committed to fulfilling its mission to promote understanding of the history of Massachusetts and the nation by collecting and communicating materials and resources that foster historical knowledge.
