Massachusetts Historical Society

The Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston is the oldest historical society in the United States, devoted to collecting and sharing materials for the study of American history. Its collections include millions of rare documents, artifacts and national treasures, from Paul Revere’s own account of his famous ride to the papers of thousands of ordinary Americans. Changing exhibitions and public programs bring these materials to visitors, and both are free and open to the public.

The society began on January 24, 1791, when the Rev. Jeremy Belknap invited nine fellow Bostonians to form what they simply called “The Historical Society.” By the end of their first meeting, their gifts of papers, books and artifacts had made it the nation’s first historical repository, and its first publication in 1792 made it the first American institution of any kind to publish in the field.

What to Know

• The MHS holds the Adams Family Papers, the most complete family collection held by an American cultural institution.
• It has the largest collection of Thomas Jefferson’s private papers, including more than 400 architectural drawings.
• It runs National History Day in Massachusetts for students in grades 6 to 12.
• An Ask a Librarian live chat lets researchers send questions to library staff.
• It is listed among Boston’s wheelchair-accessible experiences.