This Week @ MHS

It will be an eventful week here at the MHS with plenty of quality public programming for all to enjoy.

Kicking things off on Tuesday, 12 March 2013, is the latest in the Environmental History Seminar series. This edition will see Sarah Sutton, Brandeis University, presenting "The First Local Food Movement: Elizabeth Lowell Putnam and Boston's Cmpaign for Clean Milk." The seminar looks at the perceived relationship among rural environments, food consumed in urban areas, and human health through the evolving understanding of bacteriology in the early 20th century, using the Massachusetts Milk Consumers' Association and the "milk question" as a case study. SUNY-Albany's Kendra Smith-Howard will provide comment. Seminars are free and open to the public but RSVP is required. Subscribe to receive advance copies of the seminar papers. The event will begin at 5:15pm.

Then, on Wednesday, 13 March 2013, there will be a full house as the Society hosts "An Evening with Margaret Fuller in Italy," a talk with prize-winning author and MHS Fellow Megan Marshall. Ms. Marshall will read from Margaret Fuller: A New American Life, a biography of the 19th-century heroine who spent her final years as a war correspondent in Rome and Florence. The author reflects on how this period in Ms. Fuller's life should be remembered given the scandal she created through her love affair with Giovanni Ossoli during the early stages of Italy's Risorgimento. Complementing the discussion will be a performance by the Folk ensemble Newpoli, who specialize in southern Italian folk music from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. They will focus their energy on the vibrant music emblamatic of Italy at the time and that Ms. Fuller came to adore. Pre-talk reception at 5:30pm, author talk begins at 6:00pm. Advance reservations requested, however, as of Friday, 8 March, registration is closed and the MHS is no longer accepting reservations.

The Historical Society invites new MHS Members and Fellows to enjoy a Reception & Tour. This special event on Thursday, 14 March, is an opportunity to learn more about the Society and its collections. RSVP required and there is no cost to register. For more information, call 617-646-0543.

On Friday, 15 March, join the MHS Art Curator, Anne Bentley, as she shines a spotlight on our current exhibition with "Our Fanatacism: Garrison's Antislavery Banners." This gallery talk examines the nature and use of WIlliam Lloyd Garrison's banners in the 1840s and 1850s for various local fairs and demonstrations that were sponsored by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. This event is free and open to the public and will begin at 2:00pm. Show up early or stay after to explore the multiple exhibits currently on show and highlighting the fight against slavery in Massachusetts and the nation. Exhibits are free and open to the public Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm.

Finally, join us Saturday, 16 March, as our public building tour returns after a couple of weeks off. The History and Collections of the MHS is a 90-minute, docent-led tour that explores the art and architecture of the public spaces here at a1154 Boylston St. Tour begins at 10:00am in the lobby of the MHS and is open to the public at no cost. No reservation is required for small groups but parties of 8 or more are requested to contact the Society in advance of attendance. For more information, please contact Curator of Art, Anne Bentley, at abentley@masshist.org or 617-646-0508.

Plenty of great reasons to shake off the last of the snow and pay the MHS a visit!