The Beehive: the official blog of the Massachusetts Historical Society

Mysterious, Gruesome, and Spooky Aspects of History

Series: From Our Collections
By Rakashi Chand, Reader Services
This time of year often sparks an interest in the mysterious, gruesome, and spooky aspects of history. New Englanders often flock to Salem and other “haunted” spots with a keen interest in connecting with the people and the events that had transpired long ago. [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 31 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

This Week @MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By @MHS
- Monday, 29 October, 6:00 PM: Armistice: WWI in Memory & Song, a collaboration of the MHS and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with John Brancy, Baritone; Peter Dugan, Piano; and Peter Drummey, MHS. A temporary exhibition on the end of World War I [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 29 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

“As Drowning Men Catch at Straws”: William H. Simpkins and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment

Series: From Our Collections
By Susan Martin, Processing Archivist & EAD Coordinator
I have now to tell you of a pretty important step that I have just taken. I have given my name to be forwarded to Massachusetts for a commission in the 54th (negro) Regt. Coln. Shaw. This excerpt comes from a letter written by Civil War soldier William Harris Simpkins [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Friday, 26 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

"Splendid Flowering Bulbs": Washburn & Co.'s 1865 Autumn Catalog

Series: From Our Collections
By Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, Reader Services
As we near the end of October here in Boston the trees are starting to turn vibrant yellows and oranges while the morning air is crisp with overnight frost. While many gardeners are digging up gardens and bringing plants indoors out of the cold for the winter ahead, it’s [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 24 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

This Week @MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By @MHS
We have a busy week ahead with a couple of seminars, an author talk, and a workshop. - Monday, 22 October, 5:15 PM: Paul Revere's Ride through Digital History with Joseph M. Adelman, Framingham State University and Omohundro Institute; Liz Covart, Omohundro [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 22 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

Calling All High School Students: Apply for a 2019 John Winthrop Fellowship at the MHS

Series: Education Programs
By Kate Melchior
Are you a student who loves history?  Are you a teacher with students who are intrigued by primary source research?  Want the chance to spend some time in the MHS archives?  Check out the fellowship opportunities at the Center for the Teaching of History!  John [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Friday, 19 October, 2018, 8:00 AM

Hints to Soldiers on Health: 14 tips for those serving during the Civil War

Series: From Our Collections
By Sabina Beauchard, Reader Services
In the Albert Gallatin Browne papers you will find a printed piece of paper entitled, "Hints to Soldiers on Health." These "Directions for Preservation of Health" give pointers to soldiers serving in the Union Army during the Civil War on how to keep themselves in tip-top [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 17 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

Meet Some of Our Amazing Archivists

Series: Around MHS
By Rakashi Chand, Reader Services
As a part of American Archives Month, we would like to introduce you to some of our amazing archivists! These are the very talented people that make our collections accessible and make our library work so seamlessly from behind the scenes. We are fortunate to have such an [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Tuesday, 16 October, 2018, 10:00 AM

This Week @MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By @MHS
This week we have a pair of Brown Bag talks, two evening programs, the first seminar in a new series, and a sold out tour. Details below: - Monday, 15 October, 12:00 PM: Examining Land Ownership in the Praying Towns of New England with Taylor Kirsch, University [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 15 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

New Transcriptions Released for John Quincy Adams' Diary

Series: Collections News , From Our Collections
By Neal Millikan, Digital Projects Editor
Amid his daily whirl of diplomatic duties, John Quincy Adams paused to reflect on his latest dispatch to President James Monroe. After several rewrites, Adams had drafted a course of action that would shape American foreign policy for more than a century, and he was proud [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Friday, 12 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

A Mother’s Conviction and A Little Girl’s Courage: Cancer Surgery in 1881

Series: From Our Collections
By Rakashi Chand, Reader Services
In honor of Cancer Awareness month, I would like to share with you the extraordinary story of young Mabel Cabot, who underwent cancer surgery in 1881. Mabel’s story is preserved thanks to the careful and detailed diary entries kept by Mabel’s mother, Elizabeth [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 10 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

This Week @MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By @MHS
Here is a look at what is going on at the MHS this week: - Monday, 8 October, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM: MHS Open House in conjunction with Opening Our Doors celebration in the Fenway Cultural District. Please note that the library will be closed for the day. - Tuesday, [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 8 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

A Yankee in Virginia, 1864

Series: From Our Collections
By Susan Martin, Processing Archivist & EAD Coordinator
The MHS recently acquired a fascinating manuscript volume by Lt. Henry L. Estabrooks of the 26th Massachusetts Infantry describing his six weeks as a fugitive in Virginia during the Civil War. Estabrooks was captured by the Confederate Army in September 1864, but escaped [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Friday, 5 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

Barbara Hillard Smith’s Diary, October 1918

By Lindsay Bina, Intern and Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, Reader Services
Today we return to the 1918 diary of Newton teenager Barbara Hillard Smith. You may read our introduction to the diary, and Barbara’s previous entries, here: January | February | March | April May | June | July | [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Wednesday, 3 October, 2018, 1:00 AM

This Week @MHS

Series: Today @MHS
By @MHS
There is a lot going on at the MHS this week including the opening of our next exhibition Fashioning the New England Family on Friday, 5 October. - Tuesday, 2 October, 5:15 PM: The Protestant Cult of the Dead in New England, 1800-1848 with Erik Seeman, State University [...] read more

comments: 0 | permalink | Published: Monday, 1 October, 2018, 1:00 AM