J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Monday, February 01, 2016

Mad about the Massachusetts Historical Society’s Collections

The Massachusetts Historical Society is celebrating its 225th anniversary this year with, among other things, this online exhibit of 225 notable objects from its collection.

Those objects don’t appear to include the broadside titled “Wolfe’s summit of human glory” which I wrote about here and is one of my personal favorites.

But they do include the Samuel Selden powder horn and many other treasures from the Revolutionary period:
And much more. Some of the material even comes from other historical periods.

Starting today, the M.H.S. is hosting some sort of bracket competition involving 64 of those objects, designated by red dots on the collection page. Since that hasn’t started yet, I don’t know how it works, but I’m sure the webpage will be happy to explain.

In addition, the society’s exhibit on “The Private Jefferson” has opened and will be free to visitors Monday through Saturday until 20 May. There’s also a new illustrated book highlighting Thomas Jefferson documents in the society’s collections.

3 comments:

Mark said...

The MHS also used to own the very first edition of Canada's first newspaper, dating from 1752. That paper was the Halifax Gazette, and was started by two Bostonians who made their way to Nova Scotia. It kindly passed it on (sold it ?) to the National Archives in Ottawa in 2002.

J. L. Bell said...

Didn’t know that story! And it reminds me that I must get around to writing about how Isaiah Thomas responded to the Stamp Act when he was a journeyman printer in Halifax.

Mark said...

Yes, that's a very cool story. Do it !!