“I am returning your letter from Mr. Bradley in which we are informed that there are some in Ireland who think you are my uncle. If you are ready to admit it, I am.” —Letter from John F. Kennedy to Leverett Saltonstall, 5 August 1963.

Leverett Saltonstall, Jacqueline Kennedy, and John F. Kennedy at the Kennedy’s Wedding, 12 September 1953 The Kennedy and Saltonstall families both resided in Massachusetts and had political affiliations; they knew each other and met often. See more letters written or received by John F. Kennedy in the digital MHS Presidential Letters Collection Guide. View this photograph up close.

Event News

Spaces Filling Up for Wednesday’s Program Register now for Teaching White Supremacy: America’s Democratic Ordeal and the Forging of Our National Identity with Donald Yacovone in conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In his book, Donald Yacovone shows us the clear evidence of white supremacy’s deep-seated roots in our nation’s education system using an in-depth examination of a wide assortment of texts, from primary readers to college textbooks and other higher-ed course materials. Join us for a probing look at this work and a discussion of how we can use this history to improve our futures. Register for the 2 November program here.

2 November Speaker Reception Sold Out While this week’s speaker reception is sold out, you can still register to attend the 16 November speaker reception with Lydia Moland and Megan Marshall. Following the reception, they will discuss Moland’s Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life. On Friday, 28 October, attendees at the Speaker Reception with Stacy Schiff and Sara Georgini mingled convivially with each other, and clinked coupes of Ward Eights—Boston and the MHS’s signature cocktail. Conversation ranged from Schiff's book, The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams, to new stories about an old favorite: Isabella Stewart Gardner. Register for the 16 November Speaker Reception here.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 1 November | 5:00 PM A “Free Lance” and Diplomat: S. G. W. Benjamin and the Promotion of Persian Art for an American Nation Roxanne Goldberg, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with comment by Ross Barrett, Boston University, and Farshid Emami, Rice University. Register to attend in person. Register to attend online. Wednesday, 2 November | 6:00 PM Teaching White Supremacy: America's Democratic Ordeal and the Forging of Our National Identity Donald Yacovone in conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Register to attend in person. Register to attend online.

Saturday, 5 November | 9:30 AM-4:30 PM Black Abolitionists and New Bedford’s Underground Railroad The workshop will take place at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. This workshop is FULL, to be added to the waitlist, email education@mashist.org. Monday, 7 November | 5:00 PM The Strange History and Career of Drapetomania: The Mania That Caused Enslaved Blacks to Escape and the Man Behind It dann j. Broyld, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, with comment by Deirdre Cooper-Owens, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Register to attend online.

Wednesday, 9 November, at 6:00 PM: Book Madness: A Story of Book Collectors in America with Denise Gigante. Thursday, 10 November, at 6:00 PM: The Great Boston Fire: The Inferno That Nearly Incinerated the City with Stephanie Schorow. Saturday, 12 November, at 2:00 PM: Inferno: The Great Boston Fire of 1872 with Anthony M. Sammarco. Wednesday, 16 November, at 6:00 PM: Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life with Lydia Moland, Colby College, in conversation with Megan Marshall. Thursday, 17 November, at 6:00 PM: William Hickling Prescott Award for Excellence in Historical Writing Presentation with Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman, in partnership with The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America—Massachusetts. Sunday, 20 November, at 6:00 PM: Parlor Politics: David Rubenstein Interviews Catherine Allgor. Tuesday, 29 November, at 5:00 PM: "In the interest of the American people": The Advertising Industry and Sponsored Economic Education Media, 1947–1952 with Caroline Jack, University of California, San Diego, with comment by Ted Miller, Northeastern University. Tuesday, 29 November, at 6:00 PM: American Inspiration: Stacy Schiff with The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams with Stacy Schiff in conversation with Ryan J. Woods, EVP and COO of American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Tuesday, 29 November at 7:30 PM: Writing History: An Extended Q&A with Stacy Schiff in conversation with Ryan J. Woods, EVP and COO of American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society, and Catherine Allgor, President of MHS. Wednesday, 30 November, at 6:00 PM: MHS Film Club: Good Night, and Good Luck with Larry Tye.

Looking for More?

Registration and Events   Visit www.masshist.org/events for more information and to register. Or, view our November and December flipbook calendar.  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 latest video and subscribe to the MHS YouTube channel after you view the video.

Exhibition and Library Hours   Our galleries and the library are open Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 7:45 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.   Now on display: Our Favorite Things   Please note that the last admission for exhibition visitors will be 45 minutes prior to closing.

An advance appointment is strongly encouraged for all researchers. Please visit our Appointment Request Form 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 https://www.masshist.org/library. Please check our online calendar for hours, building closings, and other events.

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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