American Antiquarian Society

Worcester

The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) is one of North America’s premiere research libraries. It has been in operation since 1812 and holds one of the largest collections of pre-1877 material in the United States. Its Collections are quite vast and include the largest selection of pre-1900 Newspapers & Periodicals in the nation, the world’s largest collection of Books & Pamphlets printed in the United States before 1821, a robust compilation of early Children’s Literature, and over 400,000 unique pieces of Graphic Arts. There are also 2,000 collections of Manuscripts that feature the personal papers and diaries of early New Englanders and the records of various 18th and 19th century businesses and voluntary associations. A General Catalog, Specialized Catalogs, Finding Aids, and Research Guides are available to assist researchers. Much of the AAS’s materials have been digitized and are available through its Digital AAS. The Society also offers several Fellowships for researchers each year.

Baker Library

Cambridge

Located at Harvard University, Baker Library serves as the main library for the Harvard Business School. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of manuscripts and rare books pertaining to the history of business and economics. Its Special Collections are especially rich in the early history of American Business, boasting the papers of the Hancock Family, the Lawrence Manufacturing Co., and much more. Other Collecting Areas include Historic Corporate Reports, Historic Industry & Trade Literature, Photographs & Prints, and the Kress Collection of Business and Economics. Materials held by Baker Library can be searched via Harvard Library’s HOLLIS Catalog. Finding aids can be found in HOLLIS for Archival Discovery. Several Digital Resources are available for researchers, including the Special Collections Exhibits. Much of Baker Library’s colonial manuscripts have been digitized and are part of Colonial North America at Harvard Library. Baker Library also offers several Research Fellowships each year and is a participating member in the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

Berkshire Athenaeum

Pittsfield

The Berkshire Athenaeum is a public library that maintains a variety of early sources related to the history of western Massachusetts. Its Local History & Genealogy Department collects and preserves maps, photographs, manuscripts, vertical files, and other resources dating back to the 17th century. Chief among these is the Herman Melville Collection, a compilation of Melville’s personal papers and early editions of his printed works. Items held by the Athenaeum can be searched through its Catalog.

Boston Athenæum

Boston

The Boston Athenæum is one of the leading independent research institutions in the United States. It boasts a collection of 500,000 items related to the history and culture of Boston and the surrounding region. Not only does it maintain an Archive chronicling its own institutional history dating back to the 18th century, but it collects and preserves various Maps and Rare Books & Manuscripts. There is no shortage of personal papers, business records, and ships’ logs. Researchers can browse the Athenæum’s holdings through Athena, its online catalog. Much of the Athenæum’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections. The Athenæum also offers several Fellowships to support research in its collections.

Boston Public Library

Boston

The Boston Public Library (BPL) is one of the oldest municipal libraries in the United States. Its Special Collections boast over a million Rare Books & Manuscripts. These materials are especially strong in documents that cover the colonial and early national histories of Boston, greater New England, and the American anti-slavery movement. Other Special Collections include Prints & Photographs, Fine Arts & Music, Newspapers, and Maps. Several research tools are available, including a Catalogs and Finding Aids. Much of the BPL’s unique materials are digitized and available through Digital Commonwealth: Massachusetts Collections Online.

Congregational Library & Archives

Boston

The Congregational Library & Archives is an independent research institution that specializes in the colonial and religious history of New England. It maintains a robust Manuscript Collections made up of personal and family papers, church and denominational records, and printed materials. Descriptions of the Library’s holdings can be found in its Electronic Finding Aids and its Finding Aid for BIPOC history. Researchers can search for items through either the Library’s Online Catalog and Image Catalog. The Library is a participating member in New England’s Hidden Histories: Colonial-Era Church Records, which collects, preserves, and digitizes records related to the early Congregational Church in New England. Similarly, the Library maintains its own Digital Collections. The Library is also a member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium and provides various forms of Research Scholarships.

Dedham Historical Society & Museum

Dedham

The Dedham Historical Society & Museum (DHSM) preserves and shares the history of the Town of Dedham. Its holdings date back to the 17th century and chronicle the colonial and early national history of Dedham and the surrounding region. Research at the DHSM is conducted at its research library, which contains over 10,000 books and reference materials. Archival materials include the records of the Town of Dedham, church and civil records, 18th and 19th century newspapers and maps, business and organization records, and the personal papers and diaries of local residents. Material objects in the museum include the oldest chair constructed in North America, as well as various other artifacts related to the history and culture of early New England. Finding Aids are available to assist researchers, but are limited. The DHSM also displays various Exhibits that showcase its unique holdings.

Harvard University Archives

Cambridge

The Harvard University Archives serve as the official repository for the records of Harvard University. Its Collections date back to 1636 and include Harvard’s Institutional History and Records, Harvard University Theses, Dissertations, and Prize Papers, Harvard Faculty Personal and Professional Archives, and various others related to the academic and social life of the university. Several Online Resources and Research Guides are available to assist researchers. The Archives’ holdings can be searched via Harvard Library’s HOLLIS and HOLLIS for Archival Discovery catalogs. Much of the Archives’ materials have been digitized and can be viewed through Harvard Digital Collections.

Haverhill Public Library

Haverhill

Established in 1873, the Haverhill Public Library holds a wealth of sources related to the early history of Haverhill and the northern Massachusetts region. Its Special Collections consist of manuscripts, maps, newspapers, church records, government records, and various other materials that date back to the early 1700s. Prominent amongst these is the Haverhill Public Library Local History Vertical File Collection. An Online Catalog and Finding Aids for the Library’s diverse collections are available. Some of the Library’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed on its Senter Digital Archive.

Houghton Library

Cambridge

Houghton Library serves as the main repository for Harvard University’s rare books and manuscripts. Its modern and early modern Collections cover a variety of topics with emphasis on the histories of Europe and the Americas, the Atlantic World, literature, science, and medicine. Some standouts from its holdings include the Donald and Mary Hyde Collection of Dr. Samuel Johnson, the Early Modern Science Collection, and the Emily Dickinson Collection. Scholars may take advantage of Houghton Library’s various Research tools, including Harvard Library’s catalogs HOLLIS and HOLLIS for Archival Discovery. Much of Houghton’s materials have been digitized and are available through its online Exhibits and Harvard Digital Collections. Houghton also offers several Visiting Fellowships each year and is a participating member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

John J. Burns Library

Chestnut Hill

Part of the Boston College Libraries, the John J. Burns Library collects and preserves the college’s rare books and manuscripts. Its Collections reflect the college’s location and religious history, with holdings related to early Boston, Jesuits and Catholics, and the Irish & Irish Americans. Some standouts of the Burns Library’s materials include a small selection of Charles Sumner Papers from his time in the United States Senate and the Boston College Collection of Cotton Mather Letters respecting the Salem witch trials. Items from the Burns Library can be searched in the Boston College Libraries’ Catalog. Much of the Burns Library’s material, particularly its 19th century sources, have been digitized and can be viewed through the Burns Online Exhibits and the Boston College Digitized Collections.

Jones Library

Amherst

The Jones Library is a public institution that maintains some unique sources related to early Massachusetts. Its Special Collections focus on prominent American authors. One standout is the Emily Dickinson Collection, which contains some 7,000 items that places the famous poet within the context of her local community. Other Manuscript Collections held by the Jones Library include the papers and records of early Amherst families, businesses, and organizations. Much of the Library’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed via Digital Amherst.

Massachusetts Archives

Boston

The Massachusetts Archives serves as the official repository for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its holdings date back to 1629 and include the records of the General Court, the Provincial Congress, the governor, and various other offices and agencies. Much of the Archives’ earliest records comprise the Massachusetts Archives Collection, which consists of 328 bound volumes of records spanning the years 1629 to 1799. A Collections Overview and Collection Guides offer researchers an overview of all the Archives’ holdings. Much of the Archives’ material has been digitized in partnership with FamilySearch and can be searched through the Digital Records at the Massachusetts Archives.

Massachusetts Historical Society

Boston

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States and one of the most respected research libraries in the Americas. Its Collections include Photographs, Books & Pamphlets, Broadsides, Maps, Newspapers, Artifacts, and various other sources. The MHS also maintains a robust selection of Manuscripts spread cross 3,600 separate collections. These are made up of the personal papers of prominent Massachusettsans and other early Americans, and cover a variety of topics from colonization and religion to national politics and international commerce. Highlights include the Adams Family Papers and the Coolidge Collection of Thomas Jefferson Manuscripts. Researchers may search the MHS’s holdings through its Collection Guides and its online catalog, ABIGAIL. Much of the MHS’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through its Online Resources and Exhibitions. The MHS also offers Fellowships each year and is a participating member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.

Peabody Essex Museum

Salem

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is quickly becoming one of the premiere cultural institutions in the United States. Its Exhibitions document well the material history of the Atlantic World with an emphasis on nautical life and experience. PEM also houses a vast amount of archival records administered by its Phillips Library, which is located just north of Salem in Rowley. These Collections specialize in the early history of New England and its place within the maritime world. Roughly 5,000 linear feet of Manuscripts are open for research and include the personal papers of prominent writers, ministers, and businessmen, as well as court records, customhouse documents, and thousands of ships’ logbooks. Finding Aids are available and list of the manuscript collections can be found here. Much of the PEM’s archival records have been digitized and can be viewed through its Online Collections. The Phillips Library also offers Fellowships for visiting scholars.

Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections

Waltham

Located in Brandeis University’s Goldfarb Library, the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections houses the universities unique and rare items of scholarly value. While its holdings have a heavy emphasis on the 20th century, there are many items within the Special Collections that may be of interest to early Americanists. Its Special Collections Spotlight provides various essays explaining the scope and content of its most prized materials, including the Michael Lally Civil War Letters, the William Lloyd Garrison Collection, and the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution Collections. Other useful tools include its Research Guides and Finding Aids Database. Several online resources are available, particularly its Online Exhibits and Digitized Collections.

Springfield History Library & Archives

Springfield

Situated in the basement of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the Springfield History Library & Archives boasts a sizeable selection of reference books, microfilm, photographs, and archival sources. Its materials are geared more towards genealogical rather than historical research. Besides a large collection of French Canadian records, there are also Ellis Island passenger records and various diaries, deeds, account books, and land transfer documents. Contact the Library to get a sense of the uniqueness and scope of these materials.

State Library of Massachusetts

Boston

Located in the Massachusetts State House, the State Library of Massachusetts oversees a large selection of documents related to the early history of the commonwealth. Its Massachusetts State and Local Resources are comprised of various government publications and records dating back to 1826, as well as city and town reports and directories, tax valuation records, vital records, real estate and insurance maps, and a sizeable collection of 18th and 18th century newspapers. Other holdings are described in its Guide to Genealogical Resources. A crown jewel of the State Library is William Bradford’s Manuscript “Of Plymouth Plantation.” Scholars can search the State Library’s holdings through its Online Catalog. Much of the Library’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through its Exhibits and on DSpace.

W. E. B. Du Bois Library

Amherst

The W. E. B. Du Bois Library serves as the main library for the University of Massachusetts and houses its Special Collections & University Archives. Among its Collections are various Rare Books and Manuscripts that chronicle the history and culture of early New England. A highlight of the collections are the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends Records, which consist of over 380 linear feet of textual records dating back to 1633. Research Guides and an Online Catalog are available, and finding aids can be found and searched on the Library’s Collections page. The Library offers several Fellowships & Prizes each year.

Other Massachusetts Archives & Sources

Various Massachusetts towns still retain their earliest records. The same can be said of the county courts. Check with town and county clerks’ offices for more information on what they have available. For those interested in New England town research, check the bibliography of Edward M. Cook, Jr., The Fathers of the Towns: Leadership and Community Structure in Eighteenth-Century New England (Baltimore, 1976). The Boston Library Consortium keeps a list of its Members, many of which hold archival materials related to early Massachusetts. Another useful resource is Digital Commonwealth: Massachusetts Collections Online, which provides access to digitized materials from various Massachusetts archives and libraries.

There are several regional repositories that hold Massachusetts sources, including the Beinecke Rare Book Library, the John Carter Brown Library, the Maine Historical Society, the New-York Historical Society, and the New York Public Library. Massachusetts sources can also be found at the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

Massachusetts has a long history as both an English colony and an imperial borderland situated between New Netherland and New France. Sources related to Massachusetts can thus be found in Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Check with the UK’s British Library in London and the National Archives at Kew, Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa, the Archives Nationales d’Outre-Mer in Aix-en-Provence, and the Nationaal Archief at the Hague.