A few photos of the atmosphere
The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) is a museum located in Worcester, MA, where visitors can explore the history of the United States through the artifacts and displays. Established in 1812, AAS is the nation’s oldest historical society and serves as a valuable resource for historians, genealogists, and scientists alike.
Founded by Isaiah Thomas, a notable printer and publisher from Worcester MA, AAS is a unique treasure trove of artifacts from American colonial period to the mid-twentieth century. Its collections include paintings and prints, books, newspapers and magazines, maps, postcards, photographs, glass plates of early color photographs, motion pictures, and even the papers of renowned authors and historical figures such as Walt Whitman and Lewis Thoreau.
The museum boasts six permanent galleries that feature interactive displays filled with artifacts. For instance, the Gallery on American Politics highlights the evolution of political campaigns in America over time through posters, photographs, and other materials. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, AAS also hosts periodic shows focusing on various aspects of American history such as the Revolutionary War and civil rights.
AAS offers multiple education programs for students including its “BIG: Ancient Innovations to Modern Classrooms” program for kindergarten through high school students. Through this program students engage with primary source materials in order to understand how human history is relevant to their everyday lives. The museum also provides a comprehensive program for teachers called “What a Difference It Makes!” which assists educators in bringing their lessons come alive through a variety of materials and activities.
The archives at AAS have served as an invaluable source for scholars throughout the world seeking information related to the history of America. Its librarians have prepared published guides to the archives detailing collection content as well as finding aids to facilitate research at AAS. Staff members are available to answer questions and help researchers locate rare materials in their collections.
Since its inception over 200 years ago AAS has been devoted to preserving materials related to America’s past and making them accessible to all visitors seeking knowledge about our nation’s history. Visit the American Antiquarian Society today to uncover unique insights into our nation’s story!