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“The name of Isabella Stewart was now so dear!”

—Helen Ruthven Waterston diaries, 18551859.

Helen Ruthven Waterston

Helen Ruthven Waterston was born in 1841, the daughter of Anna and Robert Cassie Waterston. Helen’s portrait was painted by Alonzo Hartwell in 1856. The above sketch of the portrait was made to remind her friends and family of her while going on a grand tour of Europe with her parents that same year.


While on the grand tour, Helen enrolled in a French Protestant convent’s finishing school where her friend from Boston, Julia Gardner, introduced her to Isabella Stewart, whom Julia had known from their school in New York City. The three became a tight trio. After leaving the finishing school, Helen and Isabella met again while touring Italy. While still in Italy, Helen contracted an illness and died there in 1858.


Search for more items from the Waterston family in the MHS’s ABIGAIL library catalog here.


Join the MHS online for tonights program Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner at 6:00 PM. Register to attend online here.

MHS News

2024–2025 Seminar Application Deadline is 22 April


The MHS organizes seven seminar series that operate from September to May. Scholars currently working on chapter-length papers are invited to apply to present a seminar session with the MHS for the 20242025 season. Our seminars bring together a diverse group of scholars and interested members of the public. After brief remarks from the author and an assigned commentator, the discussion is opened to the floor. Sessions take place virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format as conditions allow. For more information on the seminar themes please visit the MHS website here


Interested researchers should send a 500-word proposal and CV to seminars@masshist.org. The deadline is 22 April 2024.

Upcoming Events

PROGRAM

Monday, 1 April | 6:00 PM

Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner


Natalie Dykstra in conversation with Catherine Allgor, MHS President.


In-person event is SOLD OUT, please join us online.


Register to attend online.

SEMINAR

Tuesday, 2 April | 5:00 PM

A Renegades’ History of the Revolutionary Frontier: Contesting Race & Nation on the Borderlands of the New United States


John William Nelson, Texas Tech University, with comment by Robert G. Parkinson, Binghamton University.


Register to attend online.

PROGRAM

Wednesday, 10 April | 6:00 PM

Italian Influence on Boston's Culture, Economy & Politics


Lawrence DiCara, civic leader, and James Pasto, historian.


Register to attend in person.


Register to attend online.

Thursday, 11 April, 5:00 PM: Reconstructing the Artisan Labor Economy in Post-Emancipation South Carolina with Anne E. Kerth, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with comment by Hilary Green, Davidson College. This is a seminar.


Thursday, 2 May, 5:00 PM: Telling the Untold Stories for Children: Biographies for Kids & Why They Matter with three children’s authors: Heather Lang, Ray Anthony Shepard, and Mia Wenjen, moderated by Julie Dobrow, Tufts University. This is a seminar.


Monday, 6 May, 6:00 PM: Democracy Awakening: A Conversation with Heather Cox Richardson with Heather Cox Richardson, in conversation with Catherine Allgor, MHS President. MHS Members receive priority registration through 15 April. This is a program.


Tuesday, 7 May, 5:00 PM: Taverns, Entrepreneurial Networking, Self-Improvement & Urban Tendencies in the Early Republican Northeast with Kirsten E. Wood, Florida International University, with comment by Richard D. Brown, University of Connecticut. This is a seminar.


Friday, 10 May, 2:00 PM: The Adams Papers: Leaving a Legacy with Sara Martin, Editor in Chief, The Adams Papers. This is a special Visionary Circle Member event.


Wednesday, 15 May, 6:00 PM: Annual Fiori Lecture: Curating Controversy: Exhibiting Difficult Objects in Museums with Erica Lome, Curator, Historic New England; Karina Corrigan, Associate Director-Collections & H. A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art, Peabody Essex Museum; and Jordan Cromwell, Interpretive Planner, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; moderated by Catherine Allgor, MHS President. This is a program.


See full calendar.

MEMBER WEEK

MHS Members and Fellows are invited to join us for a week of programs, events, and perks. Explore the Member Week calendar here. Not yet a Member? Learn more and join today at www.masshist.org/support/mhsfund.



Tuesday, 30 April, 3:30 PM: History Source Virtual Tour.


Tuesday, 30 April, 5:30 PM: Signed, Sealed, Delivered with Daniel Bottino, PhD Candidate, Rutgers University.


Wednesday, 1 May, 1:00 PM: Among the Adams Papers with Hobson Woodward, Series Editor, Adams Family Correspondence, The Adams Papers.


Thursday, 2 May, 1:00 PM: Treasures Tour with Peter Drummey, Chief Historian & Stephen T. Riley Librarian.


Friday, 3 May, 1:00 PM: Behind the Scenes of Conservation with Samantha Couture, Nora Saltonstall Conservator & Preservation Librarian.


Saturday, 4 May, 10:00 AM: Introduction to the Library.


Saturday, 4 May, 2:00 PM: Ye Olde Tavern Tour Sponsored by the Young Patrons of the MHS with Brooke Barbier, Public Historian.


Additional Perks & Priority Registration for Heather Cox Richardson

Between 29 April and 6 May, Members are invited to stop by the MHS to pick up a free book and other gifts to enjoy at home! Members receive priority registration through 15 April for Democracy Awakening: A Conversation with Heather Cox Richardson on 6 May.

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.

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!
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