Massachusetts Historical Society

Massachusetts Historical Society

Library - Museum - Nonprofit - Visual Art

Website: http://www.masshist.org/

 617.536.1608

 617.859.0074

 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215

The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is an independent research library and manuscript repository. Its holdings encompass millions of rare and unique documents and artifacts vital to the study of American history, many of them irreplaceable national treasures. A few examples include correspondence between John and Abigail Adams, such as her famous “Remember the ladies”; several imprints of the Declaration of Independence; and Thomas Jefferson’s architectural drawings.

As the nation’s first historical society, the Massachusetts Historical Society strives to enhance the understanding of our nation’s past and its connection to the present, demonstrating that history is not just a series of events that happened to individuals long ago but is integral to the fabric of our daily lives. Its collections are accessible to anyone with an interest in American history. Beyond research, the MHS offers many ways for the public to enjoy its collections including engaging programs, thought-provoking exhibitions, publications, seminars, and teacher workshops.

The MHS collections are particularly well-known for extensive holdings of personal papers from three presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. The collections contain many famous documents including Paul Revere’s own account of his famous ride and Abigail Adams’s famous “Remember the Ladies” letter to John Adams, where she advocates for the rights of women to be included in the founding of the United States. In addition, the MHS holds several imprints of the Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Jefferson’s architectural drawings, among many other treasures.

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