This Week @ MHS

This week at the MHS there are two events on schedule for public consumption as well as a multi-day Society-sponsored workshop. First, on Wednesday at 12:00pm there will be a Brown Bag Lunch talk taking place. Join us as Marian Desrosiers of Salve Regina University presents "Private Lives and Public Spaces: John Banister and Colonial Consumers." Ms. Desrosiers' research examines the account books of Rhode Island merchant John Banister (1707-1767) to gain insight into his roles as merchant, retailer, ship owner, broker, and as a trade and industry leader in Newport. Banister's careful delineation of profit, loss, commissions, taxes, and ownership reveal a merchant's family expenses and income and his lists of commodities provide information about the lives of consumers and producers in the public marketplace. All of these details combine to reveal how Banister's adventurous capitalism influenced the economy of pre-Revoultionary America. This event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, 10 August, the Society will host The History and Collections of the MHS, a 90-minute docent-led tour that explores all of the public rooms in the building while touching on the art, architecture, history, and collections of the Society. The tour is free and open to the public. No reservation is required for individuals or small groups. Parties of 8 or more should contact the MHS prior to attending a tour. For more information please contact Curator of Art Anne Bentley at 617-646-0508 or abentley@masshist.org.

Finally, beginning on Monday, 5 August, and continuing until Thursday, 8 August, the MHS sponsors a teacher workshop: "Battle Road: Crisis, Choices, and Consequences." Using historical documents, landscapes, buildings and artifacts as investigative tools, participants will examine the concerns, conflicts, dilemmas, decisions, and dramatic confrontations of people along the road to revolution. Presented by the Massachusetts Historical Society and partnering organizations, the workshop takes place in locations throughout Boston, Lexington, Lincoln and Concord. An outstanding group of historians, educators, and site interpreters will work with the group over the course of the four day workshop.

This workshop is open to teachers and the general public, and is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. Educators can earn PDPs and 2 graduate credits (for an additional fee) through Framingham State University.

To register, complete this registration form and send the form with your payment to:

Kathleen Barker
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
education@masshist.org

Complete directions for public transportation options, parking, and special lodging rates in Concord will be sent to all registrants. Questions? Call workshop directors Jayne Gordon (617) 646-0519 or Kathleen Barker (617) 646-0557.