Congregational Library & Archives
@congrelib.bsky.social
The Congregational Library & Archives is an independent research library founded in 1853. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the more than 400 year history of Congregationalism.
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Help us launch our 2026 Annual Appeal by supporting our work as we begin a new chapter at the CLA, guided by our recently-adopted strategic plan.
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
It’s been 6 months since Project Archivist Anne Woodrum began her work with the Historic Connecticut Collection. We hope you'll join us December 15th either in-person or via Zoom to hear Anne share some highlights from her work so far.
Learn more and register for free: https://ow.ly/9jTs50Xxszs
Learn more and register for free: https://ow.ly/9jTs50Xxszs
November 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It’s been 6 months since Project Archivist Anne Woodrum began her work with the Historic Connecticut Collection. We hope you'll join us December 15th either in-person or via Zoom to hear Anne share some highlights from her work so far.
Learn more and register for free: https://ow.ly/9jTs50Xxszs
Learn more and register for free: https://ow.ly/9jTs50Xxszs
“There's something about the materiality of interacting with something that you know was held and created by the person whose words you're reading… It is a way of speaking with and interacting with a record from hundreds of years ago.”
November 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
“There's something about the materiality of interacting with something that you know was held and created by the person whose words you're reading… It is a way of speaking with and interacting with a record from hundreds of years ago.”
Tickets for our “Christmas with the Puritans” program are selling fast. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an evening of festive, puritan-approved fun on December 10th or 11th. Find all the details at https://congregationallibrary.org/events/christmas-puritans
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Tickets for our “Christmas with the Puritans” program are selling fast. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an evening of festive, puritan-approved fun on December 10th or 11th. Find all the details at https://congregationallibrary.org/events/christmas-puritans
Join us on December 3rd for a virtual conversation with Dr. Edward Andrews, author of “Newport Gardner's Anthem,” which tells the story of Occramer Marycoo, an important, yet often forgotten Black leader.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/newpo...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/newpo...
November 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Join us on December 3rd for a virtual conversation with Dr. Edward Andrews, author of “Newport Gardner's Anthem,” which tells the story of Occramer Marycoo, an important, yet often forgotten Black leader.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/newpo...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/newpo...
TODAY: Join us at 1 pm EST to hear Dr. Jeffrey Griffith speak about John Hancock’s Congregational roots. It promises to be a Revolutionary event you won't want to miss!
Learn more and register for free at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Learn more and register for free at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
November 19, 2025 at 2:08 PM
TODAY: Join us at 1 pm EST to hear Dr. Jeffrey Griffith speak about John Hancock’s Congregational roots. It promises to be a Revolutionary event you won't want to miss!
Learn more and register for free at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Learn more and register for free at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Examining the past compels us to consider the voices documented in manuscripts alongside the many voices that were obscured. Learn more about investigating silent Indigenous voices in early American documents from Anthony Trujillo in our NEHH@20 exhibition: ow.ly/JrFV50XtCaE
November 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Examining the past compels us to consider the voices documented in manuscripts alongside the many voices that were obscured. Learn more about investigating silent Indigenous voices in early American documents from Anthony Trujillo in our NEHH@20 exhibition: ow.ly/JrFV50XtCaE
This recently catalogued rare book is a mid-17th century English history of the Crusades that includes wax seals and a manuscript letter. Most of the writing appears to be by Rev. John Dampier (1778-1841) of Somerset relating to the history of his family.
November 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This recently catalogued rare book is a mid-17th century English history of the Crusades that includes wax seals and a manuscript letter. Most of the writing appears to be by Rev. John Dampier (1778-1841) of Somerset relating to the history of his family.
Thanks to everyone who joined Zachary and Billy for their Archives Edit workshop last Friday. We loved having you with us at 14 Beacon for the day!
November 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Thanks to everyone who joined Zachary and Billy for their Archives Edit workshop last Friday. We loved having you with us at 14 Beacon for the day!
“There were other aspects of puritanism, especially Congregational polity, a love of freedom, that they thought was the real essence of puritanism, which is why they sincerely thought that they were the authentic heirs of puritanism.”
November 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
“There were other aspects of puritanism, especially Congregational polity, a love of freedom, that they thought was the real essence of puritanism, which is why they sincerely thought that they were the authentic heirs of puritanism.”
The papers of the late Rev. John Mack were recently donated to the CLA by his wife, Barbara Gerlach. Materials in the collection chart his remarkable life and include dozens of his sermons and writings.
Explore the full collection at congregationallibrary.org/sites/defaul...
Explore the full collection at congregationallibrary.org/sites/defaul...
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The papers of the late Rev. John Mack were recently donated to the CLA by his wife, Barbara Gerlach. Materials in the collection chart his remarkable life and include dozens of his sermons and writings.
Explore the full collection at congregationallibrary.org/sites/defaul...
Explore the full collection at congregationallibrary.org/sites/defaul...
250 years ago today, Boston merchant Joshua Green took these notes from a sermon he attended on 1 Peter: “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
November 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
250 years ago today, Boston merchant Joshua Green took these notes from a sermon he attended on 1 Peter: “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
TODAY: Join us on Zoom at 1 pm EST for a virtual program exploring the historical and theological foundations of Armenian Congregationalism with Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
TODAY: Join us on Zoom at 1 pm EST for a virtual program exploring the historical and theological foundations of Armenian Congregationalism with Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Today is your last opportunity to register to join us on Thursday, November 13th from 5-6 pm EST for a virtual tour of "Sacred Rebellion."
Find all the details and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/sacre...
Find all the details and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/sacre...
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Today is your last opportunity to register to join us on Thursday, November 13th from 5-6 pm EST for a virtual tour of "Sacred Rebellion."
Find all the details and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/sacre...
Find all the details and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/sacre...
In 1776, Israel Heald, a Minuteman from Acton, MA, wrote out this 44-word prayer on a small slip of paper and gave it to his Congregational church minister. It is one of only a few surviving “prayer bills” from a veteran of the American Revolution.
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
In 1776, Israel Heald, a Minuteman from Acton, MA, wrote out this 44-word prayer on a small slip of paper and gave it to his Congregational church minister. It is one of only a few surviving “prayer bills” from a veteran of the American Revolution.
How much do you know about Squanto, the man behind the Thanksgiving myths? Take a new look at this old story in the video and transcript from our 2024 “Squanto: A Native Odyssey” book talk at congregationallibrary.org/video/squanto
November 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
How much do you know about Squanto, the man behind the Thanksgiving myths? Take a new look at this old story in the video and transcript from our 2024 “Squanto: A Native Odyssey” book talk at congregationallibrary.org/video/squanto
Take a look a few of our new library acquisitions that are available for anyone to use in our reading room alongside our collection documenting the 400+ year history of Congregationalism.
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
November 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Take a look a few of our new library acquisitions that are available for anyone to use in our reading room alongside our collection documenting the 400+ year history of Congregationalism.
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
We hope you will make plans to join us December 3rd for a virtual book talk with former CLA Research Fellow Dr. Edward Andrews on the remarkable life of Occramer Marycoo, an enslaved African who became one of early America's most important Black leaders.
November 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We hope you will make plans to join us December 3rd for a virtual book talk with former CLA Research Fellow Dr. Edward Andrews on the remarkable life of Occramer Marycoo, an enslaved African who became one of early America's most important Black leaders.
The son and grandson of a Congregational minister, John Hancock was devoted to religion throughout his life. Join us in two weeks, on November 19th, to learn more in a virtual program with Dr. Jeffrey M. Griffith.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The son and grandson of a Congregational minister, John Hancock was devoted to religion throughout his life. Join us in two weeks, on November 19th, to learn more in a virtual program with Dr. Jeffrey M. Griffith.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
Early Congregational church records preserve stories that capture the rich complexity of community life, from the milestones of birth and death, to impassioned fights for justice, the anxieties of tragedy and war, and the many celebrations and controversies of everyday life.
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Early Congregational church records preserve stories that capture the rich complexity of community life, from the milestones of birth and death, to impassioned fights for justice, the anxieties of tragedy and war, and the many celebrations and controversies of everyday life.
Today is your last opportunity to register for our Archives Edit workshop this Friday at 14 Beacon, and only a few spots remain. Don’t miss your chance to spend a day learning from the CLA’s archivists.
Learn more and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/archi...
Learn more and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/archi...
November 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Today is your last opportunity to register for our Archives Edit workshop this Friday at 14 Beacon, and only a few spots remain. Don’t miss your chance to spend a day learning from the CLA’s archivists.
Learn more and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/archi...
Learn more and register via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/archi...
Mark your calendars to join us at 14 Beacon or on Zoom for a lunch and learn program on December 15th with Project Archivist Anne Woodrum, who will share takeaways from her first six months of work with the Historic Connecticut Collection, given to the CLA by @sneucc.org.
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Mark your calendars to join us at 14 Beacon or on Zoom for a lunch and learn program on December 15th with Project Archivist Anne Woodrum, who will share takeaways from her first six months of work with the Historic Connecticut Collection, given to the CLA by @sneucc.org.
When you’re looking for a home for your church’s archive, will repositories want those digital copies you’ve made of your records? And what should you do with the original items once you’ve made digital copies? (Spoiler: Keep them!)
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
When you’re looking for a home for your church’s archive, will repositories want those digital copies you’ve made of your records? And what should you do with the original items once you’ve made digital copies? (Spoiler: Keep them!)
A ghost story for Halloween that’s Cotton Mather approved. 👻
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
October 31, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A ghost story for Halloween that’s Cotton Mather approved. 👻
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
This #archivesmonth we’re also celebrating the CLA's archives interns, who are a key part of our team. One of our current interns, Madison, says she enjoys her work because “each collection is different and brings something new and interesting to the table.”
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
October 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This #archivesmonth we’re also celebrating the CLA's archives interns, who are a key part of our team. One of our current interns, Madison, says she enjoys her work because “each collection is different and brings something new and interesting to the table.”
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Did 17th century puritans really hate holiday fun? Join Dr. Tricia Peone at 14 Beacon on December 10th or via Zoom on December 11th to find out and learn more about Christmas in 17th century New England.
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
October 30, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Did 17th century puritans really hate holiday fun? Join Dr. Tricia Peone at 14 Beacon on December 10th or via Zoom on December 11th to find out and learn more about Christmas in 17th century New England.
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N