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FEATURED ITEM

Thanksgiving Overseas

The archives of the MHS contain letters relaying Americans experiences while abroad over Thanksgiving, including those of Eleanor “Nora” Saltonstall (1894–1919) pictured here.


Saltonstall spent two Thanksgivings in France volunteering for the Red Cross during World War I. Her letters home describe celebrations there. In 1917, she wrote about a large party with dancing, singing, and games. In 1918, she wrote about a forgotten Thanksgiving and a plum pudding meant for that dinner but shared mid-December.


View this photograph of Nora up close.

“Thanksgiving Evening I went to a wonderful party given by Mrs. Denny & Brigham. There were over a dozen hydroplane boys in their hotel whom they wanted to Entertain so they asked in about the same number of girls, & we had dancing, singing, games etc. The party was as you may imagine a great success.

—Eleanor “Nora” Saltonstall to her family, 30 November 1917

CALENDAR

Upcoming Events

SEMINAR

Tuesday, 3 December | 5:00 PM

The Great Tribadism Controversy of 1895 & the Invention of Sexual Deviance

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PROGRAM

Tuesday, 3 December | 5:30 PM

Boston’s Parks & Public Spaces

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PROGRAM

Wednesday, 4 December | 6:00 PM

A Revolutionary Woman: Elizabeth Freeman & the Abolition of Slavery in the North

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SEMINAR

Thursday, 5 December | 5:00 PM

Family Romance: John Singer Sargent & The Wertheimers

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Tuesday, 10 December, 5:00 PM: The Atlantic Manor: A Comparative Perspective on the Manor in Colonial New York with BJ Lillis, Princeton University, with comment by Allan Greer, McGill University. This is a seminar.


Wednesday, 11 December, 5:00 PM: Criminal Justice Reform & Resistance in the Civil Rights Era & Beyond—A Panel Discussion with Kenneth Alyass, Harvard University, and Say Burgin, Dickinson College, with comment by Simon Balto, University of Wisconsin-Madison. This is a seminar.


Thursday, 12 December, 5:30 PM: Members & Honorary Fellows Holiday Party. This is a Member event.


See full calendar.

EXHIBITION

On View

Boston Views: Through the Lens of Arthur A. Shurcliff


Arthur A. Shurcliff (1870–1957), a landscape architect, created a collection of 1,295 glass lantern slides that depict cityscapes and buildings in Boston and other locations during the first decades of the 20th century. View a selection of Boston scenes reproduced at large scale and learn more about Shurcliff.


Learn more about the collection of glass lantern slides by reading this blog post. Visit our hours and admissions page for gallery hours.

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Our Members Are a Vital Resource


Support from MHS Members makes it possible for us to fulfill our mission and expand access to historical knowledge. Thanks to our Members, we offer free admission to our research library and exhibitions; provide history and civics education resources to students and teachers; support leading historical research fellowships and publications; and more. 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!

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