The Massachusetts Historical Society is America's oldest historical society.  It is the MHS's mission to further historical understanding, as the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.  To realize this, we strive to make our collections accessible to all.  We welcome everyone to draw upon our collections to encourage a richer understanding of our past. We use our resources to educate, connect, and inspire in order to build historical empathy, foster civic responsibility, and generate an awareness of and respect for our shared humanity.