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Massachusetts Historical Society

@mhs1791.bsky.social

2.7K followers 520 following 140 posts

Massachusetts Historical Society, f. 1791: First Historical Society in the US. Research library, programs, exhibitions, & online resources.

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Dec 2

Hello Bluesky! The MHS is the oldest historical society in the US founded in 1791! Follow along to learn more about our vast collections and archives, as well as our array of programs.
#MHS1791 🗃️

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 4h

Join us on Oct. 15 for our next seminar on the American Revolution, "Lineage: Genealogy & The Power of Connection in Early America." Author @kawulf.bsky.social in conversation with Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve....

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 1d

Join us on Oct. 14 for our next seminar on early American history, "Colonial North America in the 17th Century — A Panel Discussion." Authors Nathan Braccio and Elizabeth Hines, with comments by Tim McGregor. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve....

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 1d

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Laura Clerx discusses her research into the connections between scientific inquiry and commercial enterprise in the post-revolutionary United States. Listen on podcast streaming services or the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 2d

Join us on Oct. 9 for our upcoming seminar on environmental history, "Cultivating Legitimacy: Soldiers, Civilians, and Environment in the Revolutionary Hudson Valley." Author Blake McGready with comments by @mkn.bsky.social. Register here: www.masshist.org/eve....

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 4d

Join us on Oct. 7 for our next seminar on modern America, "Crisis Politics and Everyday Life in "Middletown."" Authors @patcollier.bsky.social & James J. Connolly, with comments by @thomassdavis.bsky.social. Register: www.masshist.org/eve...

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 13d

We have a full line-up of seminars this fall! These sessions bring together scholars and the public to workshop a paper. All are encouraged to discuss the topic, ask questions, & provide feedback. Open to all to join, whether in person or virtual.
Upcoming seminars: www.masshist.org/events/serie...

Massachusetts Historical Society: Seminars

www.masshist.org

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 14d

So glad to hear this!

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 15d

We're hiring! The MHS is seeking a full time Director of Engagement to develop and implement a stimulating and audience-building roster of programs and events that respond to the moment, spotlight thought leaders, and amplify the Society’s mission.

Full posting: www.masshist.org/admin/upload...

Text reads We're Hiring over photo of Massachusetts Historical Society sign

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 15d

MHS News: After 47 years of service to the MHS, Chief Historian Peter Drummey has announced his retirement starting Nov. 15. At that time, Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, the Society’s director of research, will assume the role of Peter Drummey Chief Historian.
www.masshist.org/press/PeterD...

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 20d

In a new bonus episode of The Object of History podcast, we learn more about the history of Mount Auburn Cemetery by speaking with Meg Winslow, Senior Curator of Historical Collections & Archives.

Listen on your favorite streaming platform or on our website: www.masshist.org/podcast/seas...

Image of the Mount Auburn cemetery in black and white.

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 21d

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Manisha Sinha discusses her latest publication, "The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920." Listen on podcast streaming services or the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 22d

Join us on September 18 from 6-7 PM for a conversation that uncovers lesser-known histories of Boston’s Latine community! How have women continued to share Latine culture with new generations and the community at large in Boston? Register here: www.masshist.org/events/from-...

Graphic for "From Pinatas to Policy: Women, Cultural Diplomacy & Pan-American Dreams of a Latine Boston." The event will be September 18, 6-7 PM, and will be hosted both online and in person. The graphic background depicts three women holding a variety of small flags arranged into a centerpiece.

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 27d

Graduate students & faculty: Join us on September 17 for our Graduate Student Reception! Enjoy free refreshments and learn about the resources we offer to support your scholarship, from research fellowships to our seminars. Virtual attendees also welcome.

Register: www.masshist.org/events/gradu...

Graphic says "Graduate Student Reception, September 17, 2025, 2:00-4:00 PM ET, Hybrid." Underneath is a photo of a room full of wooden tables with wooden walls. Men sit at two of the tables doing research.

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Sep 5

“Hamilton: An American Musical” is coming to theaters today! To celebrate, we brought out some Hamilton objects from our collection for a short feature on @wbznewsradio.bsky.social.

Listen here: wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/fans...

Fans Of 'Hamilton' Can Check Out His Real-Life Artifacts in Boston | WBZ NewsRadio 1030

The Massachusetts Historical Society is highlighting their collection of Alexander Hamilton artifacts this week, as the Broadway musical hits theaters to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

wbznewsradio.iheart.com

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Sep 2

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Cornelia H. Dayton discusses her research into the life of John Peters, the husband of acclaimed poet Phillis Wheatley. Listen on podcast streaming services or on the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 29

Curious about female perspectives on the American Revolution? Our collection of letters between Hannah Winthrop and Mercy Otis Warren is an excellent resource! Spanning 30 years of friendship, their intimate correspondence provides a remarkable window into the past. www.masshist.org/features/war...

Transcription of letter from Hannah Winthrop to Mercy Otis Warren from August 17, 1775. The background of the graphic is an image of the letter. In front is a purple text box with the transcription of a excerpt, “I am charmed with the portrait you give of General Washington.
Must not we expect success under the direction of so much goodness? But my heart bleeds for the people of Boston, my blood boils with resentment at the treatment they have met with from [General] Gage.”

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 18

On the new episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Elliot Warren discusses his research on the influence of local governments on the understanding of republicanism and capitalism in the late 18th century. Listen on podcast streaming services or the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 15

In a new bonus episode of "The Object of History" podcast, we’ll dive deeper into the history of Boston's Back Bay and take a walking tour of the neighborhood.

Listen on your favorite streaming platform or on our website: www.masshist.org/.../season-4...

Sepia photograph of horse-drawn streetcar parked outside of church

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 15

Looking for a real-life historical romance? During the Siege of Boston, a daughter in a loyalist family maintained a secret correspondence with the legal officer of George Washington. Our blog shares more about these letters between Delia Jarvis and William Tudor: www.masshist.org/beehiveblog/...

Love During the Siege of Boston | Beehive

www.masshist.org

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 6

Would you follow a Bluesky account for the line-a-day diary entries of John Quincy Adams?

1️⃣ Yes
🅱️ No

📊 Show results

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 6

In 2009 we started posting entries from John Quincy Adams's line-a-day diary on Twitter. 16 years later, we haven't missed a day! Now we want to know: would you like to see JQA on Bluesky too? Take our poll below!
Read more about this remarkable diary & August 1825: www.masshist.org/object-of-th...

Massachusetts Historical Society: Object of the Month

masshist.org

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Aug 4

On the latest episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Adam Laats discusses the complicated history of the American public school system and what it can tell us about the state of public education today.

Listen on podcast streaming services or the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Jul 21

‪On the latest episode of "Historians & Their Histories," Andy Colpitts tells us about Old Home Days, an ongoing festival tradition in New England established at the turn of the 20th century.

Listen on podcast streaming services or the MHS website: www.masshist.org/podcast/hath...

Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Jul 21

Join us on July 23 as Zara Anishanslin (@DrZara) speaks about her new book, “Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists who Championed the Revolution," which charts the intertwined lives of three artists who dared to defy the British monarchy.

Register here: www.masshist.org/events/the-p...

Pile of three books, "The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution" by Zara Anishanslin, in front of a wood panel background. On top of the pile is an upright version of the book. The cover of the book is blue with a line drawing of an 18th century ship on it. The title of the book is surrounded by an orange outline of fire.

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · Jul 15

On the latest episode of the Object of History podcast, we take a tour of the MHS plot at the Fenway Victory Gardens, the oldest continuously operating victory gardens in their original location in the United States.

Listen now: www.masshist.org/podcast/seas...

Image of MHS staff members walking outdoors, along a path lined with plots of the Fenway Victory Gardens in the Back Bay Fens park. The path is lined with orange lilies in bloom, and above them is a large green tree. One staff member holds out a microphone to the other as they walk.

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