SHARE:  

“I got a great pool & standing on a rock I looked down at really big fish swimming around at my feet, sometimes as many as six of them at a time. I caught three good sized ones & had my picture taken holding them so that you will be able to see for yourselves what a fisherwoman I am.”

—Eleanor (Nora) Saltonstall to Eleanor B. Saltonstall and Muriel Saltonstall, 4 July 1919

Nora Saltonstall Fishing on Vacation

Eleanor (Nora) Saltonstall went on an “auto-camping” trip through the American West in 1919, after returning from service as a volunteer in France during the First World War.


In July, she and her friends stopped at Crater Lake, Oregon. Though it was July, Nora struggled across snowfields to fish and was photographed proudly holding her catch, writing “never have I enjoyed 3 hours more.” The trip took an unhappy turn just as the travelers left Crater Lake, when one of the group contracted typhoid fever. Although the friend recovered, Nora also contracted the infection and died in Portland, Oregon, on 2 August 1919, at age 24.


View the photograph up close.

MHS News

Object of History Podcast Events That Did Not Happen, Now Available


The Object of History podcast Season 3, Episode 7, Events That Did Not Happen features Mary Yacovone, MHS Curator of Rare Books & Visual Materials, speaking about events that never happened and yet are commemorated in some fashion. Such events include a monument to Leif Ericson on Bostons Commonwealth Avenue, a token that marks a presidential election of the candidate that did not get elected, and medals of a great naval victory that did not happen.


Listen to the episode.

Upcoming Events

PROGRAM

Thursday, 23 May | 6:00 PM

A Civil Right: 20 Years of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts


The Honorable Margaret Marshall, former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, and Nancy Cott, Harvard University, in conversation with Catherine Allgor, MHS President


Register to attend in person.


Register to attend online.

PROGRAM

Tuesday, 28 May | 6:00 PM

Our Voices: AAPI History at the MHS


Rakashi Chand, Reading Room Supervisor, and Peter Drummey, Chief Historian & Stephen T. Riley Librarian


Register to attend in person.

GALA

Thursday, 6 June | 5:30 PM

Making History Gala


Featured guest Doris Kearns Goodwin


Purchase tickets here.

See full calendar.

Upcoming Conference

Conrad E. Wright Research Conference on Citizenship

11–13 July 2024

 

The centennials of 1924’s Indian Citizenship Act and Immigration Act offer an opportunity to explore the intersection of two subjects that have not always been considered together. The conference brings together scholars to explore the broad themes associated with citizenship and other variations of national belonging reflected in the two pieces of landmark legislation.

 

The conference and workshop will take place at the MHS and Suffolk University. Registration is open. Learn more at www.masshist.org/research/conferences

Looking for More?

Registration and Events

 

Visit www.masshist.org/events for more information and to register.


Interested in Past Programs?

 

If you missed a program or would like to revisit the material presented, please visit www.masshist.org/video.


Click below to view the video, Democracy Awakening: A Conversation with Heather Cox Richardson, with Heather Cox Richardson, in conversation with Catherine Allgor, MHS President. Enjoy more videos by subscribing to the MHS YouTube channel after you view the video.

An advance appointment is strongly encouraged. Please log in to your Portal1791 account to select your preferred visit dates.

 

Set up an appointment via Zoom or live chat with a member of our reference staff. 

 

Learn more at www.masshist.org/library.

2024 Making History Gala


Join us for an unforgettable evening on 6 June 2024, with featured speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin at the iconic Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. Visit www.masshist.org/gala to purchase tickets.  

The MHS Fund and Membership

Our Members make it possible for us to offer an array of complimentary services including admission to our exhibition galleries and library, online access to our collections and digital editions, and onsite and remote reference services for all. Membership begins with a fully tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more to the MHS Fund. All Members enjoy a full year of social, cultural, and educational experiences, including invitations to our annual Holiday Party, FREE program registration, and Member Week perks. Learn more and join today!
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube  
Help us improve your experience with the MHS.
Adjust your e-mail preferences by updating your profile below,
and we will adjust our e-mails to you accordingly.