The Beehive: the official blog of the Massachusetts Historical Society

Fellowships for K-12 Teachers and Students

Series: Education Programs
By Kathleen Barker, Education Department
Did you know that the MHS has offered fellowships to K-12 educators since the summer of 2001? Nearly 60 teachers have taken part in the program, creating lessons for American history, world history, English, and even biology classrooms. If you’d like to spend four [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 30 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

This Week @ MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By Dan Hinchen
After a shortened holiday week and a brutal cold spell, we have a nice line-up of public events at the MHS this week. Come in for one or all and buff up on your history. First on the list is the next installment in our Immigration and Urban History Seminar series. On Tuesday, [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 28 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

Happy Birthday, MHS!

Series: Around MHS
By Elaine Grublin
Today marks the 222nd anniversary of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the nation's oldest historical society.  The Historical Society (being the only one, there was no need for the Massachusetts in the name at the time of our founding) had its first official meeting [...] read more

comments: 1 | permalink | Published: Thursday, 24 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

“The Sublimest Thing Ever Exhibited in America”: Inauguration Day 1797

Series: From Our Collections
By Amanda A. Mathews, Adams Papers
The ceremony and celebration of Inauguration Day such as the nation witnessed this past Monday as President Barack Obama began his second term, has been a long cherished tradition in the United States. Of the 57 inaugurations performed over the past nearly 225 years, the [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 23 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

This Week @ MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By Dan Hinchen
It is a shortened week at the MHS but there are still some excellent programs to take part in. And with only two more weeks left to see our current exhibition, In Death Lamented: The Tradition of Anglo-American Mourning Jewelry, there are plenty of reasons to make a visit! On [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 21 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

Three Centuries of Molasses in Massachusetts

Series: Around the Neighborhood , From Our Collections
By Andrea Cronin, Reader Services
The molasses trade has a long and sticky history in Massachusetts. Though sugar is far more common in the kitchen cupboard today, molasses lingers in the cultural lore of Boston. Looking back over that tradition one sees how far back those roots go. In a letter to Judge [...] read more

comments: 1 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 16 January, 2013, 10:00 AM

This Week @ MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By Dan Hinchen
It is another fairly quiet week here at the MHS but we still have two programs that should not be missed. On Tuesday, 15 January 2013, join us for the next installment from our Environmental History Seminar Series. John Spiers, Boston College, will present " 'Whither Have [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 14 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch, #19

Series: Civil War  , From Our Collections
By Elaine Grublin
The following excerpt is from the diary of Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch. Saturday, Jan 11th, 1863 The close of the year ’62 brought to mind its course, as one of great public trials, and of some—though tempered with great mercies—in my private [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Friday, 11 January, 2013, 1:00 AM

This Week @ MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By Daniel Hinchen
With only two events on the calendar, this will be a quiet week at the MHS but there is still plenty to see if you step in from the cold! Join us at 12:00pm on Wednesday, 9 January, for a Brown Bag lunch. Greta LaFleur of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa will present [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 7 January, 2013, 8:00 AM

The MHS Tweets!

Series: Around MHS
By Emilie Haertsch, Publications
The Massachusetts Historical Society is proud to announce the launch of a new organization-wide Twitter account: @MHS1791. After the success of the John Quincy Adams line-a-day diary tweets, we have similarly high hopes for this venture, which will feature historical tidbits, [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Thursday, 3 January, 2013, 8:00 AM