The Commons is an interactive website where people from Massachusetts history organizations can gather, network, share tools and resources, and build the profile of their organizations and institutions — a place where all historical organizations and groups can hang out a shingle and be seen as part of a much larger whole. What’s a Commons for?

Join us July 10th for a conversation on the responsibilities of historical organizations in light of recent widespread protests and growing acknowledgment that things have to change — that historically white organizations have a duty to challenge white privilege. But how? Share your experience, questions, and reflections, as our panelists will share theirs. Join Marieke Van Damme of the Cambridge Historical Society and Judith Monachina of the Housatonic Heritage Oral History Center for an informal discussion.

Join us July 24th for our third conversation about reopening, as Massachusetts proceeds through Phase III.

Women’s Suffrage, the Census, Black Lives Matter, the Election: How do you engage the question of politics in your organization? Engaging audiences without being partisan?Join Nat Sheidley and Erin McGough for a lively conversation on September 11.

Activists vs. Advocates: What’s the difference? Both involve trying to effect change, but activists are action-oriented, often working outside the system, while advocates are people-oriented and work within the system to represent the concerns of others. Join us as we meet two experienced advocates. Learn how they have helped others to challenge unfair institutional systems and what inspires them to keep going.

Archiving Your Gigabytes: Preserving COVID-19 and other digital collections October 9, 2020, 1:00pm - 2:30pm A Conversation with Veronica Martzahl, Digital Records Archivist at the Massachusetts Archives, Kathie Gow, Curator of the Hatfield Historical Museum, and Vanessa Formato, archivist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Covid-diaries, Zoom events, oral histories, social media. Under the COVID […]

400 Years and Beyond: Commemorating historic events in the twenty-first century October 23, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A Conversation with Linda Coombs, board member of Plymouth 400 and chair of the Wampanoag Advisory Committee, Desiree Mobed, Director at the Alden House Historic Site, and Michelle Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400 After 400 […]

History Funding from Local Cultural Councils: Talking through and workshopping LCC grant applications November 6, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A Conversation with Ymelda Laxton, Assistant Curator at Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, and Heather Kowalski, Executive Director of the Bidwell House Museum. SPECIAL GUEST: Lisa Simmons, Manager of the Local Cultural Council […]

Six Months and Counting of COVID: What are you doing? November 13, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A conversation with Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and Katie MacDonald, Executive Director of Old Colony History Museum Six months into the COVID pandemic, we’re settling into new routines. Many organizations are […]

Baking with Historians December 18, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join Margo Shea and Noah Berman as they prepare holiday treats, share historical recipes and cookbooks, and offer tips for busy cooks during the festive season.  Margo Shea, editor at Historians Cooking the Past,  whose philanthropic virtual bake sales have raised thousands of dollars […]

Researching and Discussing Slavery in Massachusetts A conversation with Kristin Gallas, principal at Interpreting Slavery, and Meadow Dibble, Director of Atlantic Black Box January 22, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join us for a conversation on researching and interpreting slavery and the slave trade in Massachusetts. Kristin Gallas and Meadow Dibble will discuss opportunities […]