fbpx
Wikipedia

American Antiquarian Society

February 05, 2023

The American Antiquarian Society (AAS), located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is both a learned society and a national research library of pre-twentieth-century American history and culture. Founded in 1812, it is the oldest historical society in the United States with a national focus.[3] Its main building, known as Antiquarian Hall, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark in recognition of this legacy.[4] The mission of the AAS is to collect, preserve and make available for study all printed records of what is now known as the United States of America. This includes materials from the first European settlement through the year 1876.[5]

American Antiquarian Society
View of Antiquarian Hall from the corner of Salisbury St. and Park Ave
CountryUnited States
TypePrivate
Established1812; 211 years ago (1812)
ArchitectWinslow, Bigelow & Wadsworth
Location185 Salisbury Street,
Worcester, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°16′38″N 71°48′39″W / 42.27722°N 71.81083°W / 42.27722; -71.81083Coordinates: 42°16′38″N 71°48′39″W / 42.27722°N 71.81083°W / 42.27722; -71.81083
Branches1
Collection
Size4 million
Access and use
Population served1,052 (Membership, 2016)
Other information
DirectorScott E. Casper
Staff45
Websiteamericanantiquarian.org
American Antiquarian Society
Area1.8 acres (7,300 m2)
Built1910
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No.68000018
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 24, 1968[1]
Designated NHLNovember 24, 1968[2]

The AAS offers programs for professional scholars, pre-collegiate, undergraduate and graduate students, educators, professional artists, writers, genealogists, and the general public.[6]

The collections of the AAS contain over four million books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, graphic arts materials and manuscripts. The Society is estimated to hold copies of two-thirds of the total books known to have been printed in what is now the United States from the establishment of the first press in 1640 through the year 1820; many of these volumes are exceedingly rare and a number of them are unique.[7] Historic materials from all fifty U.S. states, most of Canada and the British West Indies are included in the AAS repository. One of the more famous volumes held by the Society is a copy of the first book printed in America, the Bay Psalm Book.[8] AAS has one of the largest collections of newspapers printed in America through 1876, with more than two million issues in its collection.[9] Its collections contain the first American women's magazine edited by a woman, The Humming Bird, or Herald of Taste.[10]

History

 
Isaiah Thomas, the founder of the American Antiquarian Society

On the initiative of Isaiah Thomas, the AAS was founded on October 24, 1812, through an act of the Massachusetts General Court.[11] It was the third historical society established in America, and the first to be national in its scope.[4] Isaiah Thomas started the collection with approximately 8,000 books from his personal library.[12] The first library building was erected in 1820 in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts.[13] In 1853, the Society moved its collections to a larger building at the corner of Highland Street, also in Worcester.[14] This building was later abandoned and another new building was constructed. Designed by Winslow, Bigelow & Wadsworth, the Georgian Revival building was completed in 1910 and stands on the corner of Park Avenue and Salisbury Street. There have been several additions to this building to accommodate the growing collection. The most recent addition was completed in 2019 and created room for an updated HVAC system, conservation lab, and multi-use learning lab.[15] AAS was presented with the 2013 National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House.[16]

History of printing

As part of AAS's mission as a learned society, it offers a variety of public lectures and seminars. One topic to which AAS dedicates significant academic energies is printing technology, especially in eighteenth-century British North America. Since Isaiah Thomas was a newspaper man himself, he collected a large number of printed materials.[17] With regard to printing, paper making, edition setting, and reprinting, not much had changed in European technology by the eighteenth century. It was not until the late eighteenth century that paper-making material began to evolve from a hand-woven cloth to an industrial pulp. AAS undertakes special efforts to preserve printed records from this time period, as the Society maintains an on-site conservation department with various sewing, cloth, and binding materials to aid in the preservation process.[18]

Past Leaders

Over its two hundred year history, the Society has had 14 formal leaders who have shaped the organization's vision, collections, and day to day operations. Leadership roles at the AAS have historically overlapped in chronology, as different roles oversaw different aspects of the Society simultaneously.

AAS Leaders
Name Dates of Leadership Role Occupation
Isaiah Thomas 1812-1831 President Publisher
Christopher Columbus Baldwin 1831-1837 Librarian Lawyer
Samuel Foster Haven 1838-1881 Librarian Archaeologist/Anthropologist
Stephen Salisbury II 1854-1881 President Landowner
Edmund Mills Barton 1883-1908 Librarian Librarian
Stephen Salisbury III 1887-1905 President Politician
Waldo Lincoln 1907-1927 President Manufacturer
Clarence S. Brigham 1908-1959 Librarian/Director Author/Bibliographer
Calvin Coolidge 1929-1933 President Politician
R.W.G. Vail 1930-1939 Librarian Librarian
Clifford K. Shipton 1939-1967 Director Archivist/Historian
Marcus A. McCorison 1960-1992 Librarian/President Rare Books Librarian
Ellen S. Dunlap 1992-2020 Director Librarian
Scott E. Casper 2020-present Director Historian

Notable members

Main category: Members of the American Antiquarian Society

The American Antiquarian Society's membership includes scholars, writers, journalists, historians, artists, filmmakers, collectors, American presidents, and civic leaders.[19] Notable members include the following individuals:

Awards

AAS was presented with the 2013 National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ "American Antiquarian Society". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  3. ^ Gura, Philip F. The American Antiquarian Society, 1812–2012: A Bicentennial History (Worcester: American Antiquarian Society, 2012), p. x.
  4. ^ a b . Archived from the original on June 6, 2009.
  5. ^ aasmaster (March 28, 2017). "Mission Statement". Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  6. ^ aaswebsite (August 25, 2012). "Programs & Events". Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  7. ^ aasmaster (October 2, 2012). "Tours". Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  8. ^ Gura, p. 24.
  9. ^ aasmaster (October 22, 2012). "Newspapers". Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. ^ MURPHY, JILLMARIE (2016). ""The Humming Bird; or Herald of Taste" (1798): Periodical Culture and Female Editorship in the Early American Republic". American Periodicals. 26 (1): 44–69. ISSN 1054-7479. JSTOR 44630664.
  11. ^ Gura, p. 1.
  12. ^ Gura, p. 33.
  13. ^ Gura, p. 32.
  14. ^ Gura, pp. 98–99.
  15. ^ "Development Department of the American Antiquarian Society". www.americanantiquarian.org. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  16. ^ "President Obama Awards 2013 National Humanities Medals". National Endowment for the Humanities. July 22, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  17. ^ Gura, pp. 14, 33.
  18. ^ . Archived from the original on November 16, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  19. ^ aasmaster (February 28, 2018). "Members Directory". Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  20. ^ "About | American Antiquarian Society". www.americanantiquarian.org. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

Further reading

  • Goslow, Brian (January 30, 2014). . Worcester Magazine. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  • Gura, Philip F. The American Antiquarian Society, 1812–2012: A Bicentennial History (Worcester: American Antiquarian Society, 2012), 454 pp.
  • Shipton, Clifford K. "The American Antiquarian Society." William and Mary Quarterly (1945): 164–172.
  • Vail, R. W. G. "The American Antiquarian Society." Business History Review 7.6 (1933): 1–5.

External links

  • American Antiquarian Society Homepage
  • Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society. Worcester, Mass.: the Society, 1843–
  • Common-Place free online scholarly history journal focused on early US Republic

February 05, 2023
american, antiquarian, society, located, worcester, massachusetts, both, learned, society, national, research, library, twentieth, century, american, history, culture, founded, 1812, oldest, historical, society, united, states, with, national, focus, main, bui. The American Antiquarian Society AAS located in Worcester Massachusetts is both a learned society and a national research library of pre twentieth century American history and culture Founded in 1812 it is the oldest historical society in the United States with a national focus 3 Its main building known as Antiquarian Hall is a U S National Historic Landmark in recognition of this legacy 4 The mission of the AAS is to collect preserve and make available for study all printed records of what is now known as the United States of America This includes materials from the first European settlement through the year 1876 5 American Antiquarian SocietyView of Antiquarian Hall from the corner of Salisbury St and Park AveCountryUnited StatesTypePrivateEstablished1812 211 years ago 1812 ArchitectWinslow Bigelow amp WadsworthLocation185 Salisbury Street Worcester MassachusettsCoordinates42 16 38 N 71 48 39 W 42 27722 N 71 81083 W 42 27722 71 81083 Coordinates 42 16 38 N 71 48 39 W 42 27722 N 71 81083 W 42 27722 71 81083Branches1CollectionSize4 millionAccess and usePopulation served1 052 Membership 2016 Other informationDirectorScott E CasperStaff45Websiteamericanantiquarian orgAmerican Antiquarian SocietyU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkShow map of MassachusettsShow map of the United StatesArea1 8 acres 7 300 m2 Built1910Architectural styleColonial RevivalNRHP reference No 68000018Significant datesAdded to NRHPNovember 24 1968 1 Designated NHLNovember 24 1968 2 The AAS offers programs for professional scholars pre collegiate undergraduate and graduate students educators professional artists writers genealogists and the general public 6 The collections of the AAS contain over four million books pamphlets newspapers periodicals graphic arts materials and manuscripts The Society is estimated to hold copies of two thirds of the total books known to have been printed in what is now the United States from the establishment of the first press in 1640 through the year 1820 many of these volumes are exceedingly rare and a number of them are unique 7 Historic materials from all fifty U S states most of Canada and the British West Indies are included in the AAS repository One of the more famous volumes held by the Society is a copy of the first book printed in America the Bay Psalm Book 8 AAS has one of the largest collections of newspapers printed in America through 1876 with more than two million issues in its collection 9 Its collections contain the first American women s magazine edited by a woman The Humming Bird or Herald of Taste 10 Contents 1 History 2 History of printing 3 Past Leaders 4 Notable members 5 Awards 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksHistory Edit Isaiah Thomas the founder of the American Antiquarian Society On the initiative of Isaiah Thomas the AAS was founded on October 24 1812 through an act of the Massachusetts General Court 11 It was the third historical society established in America and the first to be national in its scope 4 Isaiah Thomas started the collection with approximately 8 000 books from his personal library 12 The first library building was erected in 1820 in downtown Worcester Massachusetts 13 In 1853 the Society moved its collections to a larger building at the corner of Highland Street also in Worcester 14 This building was later abandoned and another new building was constructed Designed by Winslow Bigelow amp Wadsworth the Georgian Revival building was completed in 1910 and stands on the corner of Park Avenue and Salisbury Street There have been several additions to this building to accommodate the growing collection The most recent addition was completed in 2019 and created room for an updated HVAC system conservation lab and multi use learning lab 15 AAS was presented with the 2013 National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House 16 History of printing EditAs part of AAS s mission as a learned society it offers a variety of public lectures and seminars One topic to which AAS dedicates significant academic energies is printing technology especially in eighteenth century British North America Since Isaiah Thomas was a newspaper man himself he collected a large number of printed materials 17 With regard to printing paper making edition setting and reprinting not much had changed in European technology by the eighteenth century It was not until the late eighteenth century that paper making material began to evolve from a hand woven cloth to an industrial pulp AAS undertakes special efforts to preserve printed records from this time period as the Society maintains an on site conservation department with various sewing cloth and binding materials to aid in the preservation process 18 Past Leaders EditOver its two hundred year history the Society has had 14 formal leaders who have shaped the organization s vision collections and day to day operations Leadership roles at the AAS have historically overlapped in chronology as different roles oversaw different aspects of the Society simultaneously AAS Leaders Name Dates of Leadership Role OccupationIsaiah Thomas 1812 1831 President PublisherChristopher Columbus Baldwin 1831 1837 Librarian LawyerSamuel Foster Haven 1838 1881 Librarian Archaeologist AnthropologistStephen Salisbury II 1854 1881 President LandownerEdmund Mills Barton 1883 1908 Librarian LibrarianStephen Salisbury III 1887 1905 President PoliticianWaldo Lincoln 1907 1927 President ManufacturerClarence S Brigham 1908 1959 Librarian Director Author BibliographerCalvin Coolidge 1929 1933 President PoliticianR W G Vail 1930 1939 Librarian LibrarianClifford K Shipton 1939 1967 Director Archivist HistorianMarcus A McCorison 1960 1992 Librarian President Rare Books LibrarianEllen S Dunlap 1992 2020 Director LibrarianScott E Casper 2020 present Director HistorianNotable members EditMain category Members of the American Antiquarian Society The American Antiquarian Society s membership includes scholars writers journalists historians artists filmmakers collectors American presidents and civic leaders 19 Notable members include the following individuals Benjamin Abbot John Adams John Quincy Adams Herman Vandenburg Ames Roald Amundsen Edward M Augustus Jr George Bancroft Alexander Graham Bell Ned Blackhawk Ken Burns Jimmy Carter Bruce Catton Harriette L Chandler Ron Chernow Bill Clinton Calvin Coolidge Walter Cronkite Robert Darnton Drew Gilpin Faust Moses Fisk Esther Forbes Henry Louis Gates Doris Kearns Goodwin Annette Gordon Reed Samuel Swett Green Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler Rutherford B Hayes Washington Irving Andrew Jackson John Jay Thomas Jefferson Tobias Lear Jill Lepore James Madison Othniel Charles Marsh David McCullough James Monroe Pedro II of Brazil Nathaniel Philbrick Dorothy B Porter John Wesley Powell Franklin Pierce Rice Franklin D Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt George Dudley Seymour William H Taft Bushrod Washington Woodrow Wilson Gordon S WoodAwards EditAAS was presented with the 2013 National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House 20 See also Edit United States portalBooks in the United States History of books List of antiquarian societies Massachusetts Historical Society John Ratcliff List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places listings in northwestern Worcester MassachusettsReferences Edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 American Antiquarian Society National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Retrieved July 10 2008 Gura Philip F The American Antiquarian Society 1812 2012 A Bicentennial History Worcester American Antiquarian Society 2012 p x a b National Historic Landmarks Program NHL Archived from the original on June 6 2009 aasmaster March 28 2017 Mission Statement Retrieved December 22 2017 aaswebsite August 25 2012 Programs amp Events Retrieved December 22 2017 aasmaster October 2 2012 Tours Retrieved December 22 2017 Gura p 24 aasmaster October 22 2012 Newspapers Retrieved December 22 2017 MURPHY JILLMARIE 2016 The Humming Bird or Herald of Taste 1798 Periodical Culture and Female Editorship in the Early American Republic American Periodicals 26 1 44 69 ISSN 1054 7479 JSTOR 44630664 Gura p 1 Gura p 33 Gura p 32 Gura pp 98 99 Development Department of the American Antiquarian Society www americanantiquarian org Retrieved December 22 2017 President Obama Awards 2013 National Humanities Medals National Endowment for the Humanities July 22 2014 Retrieved December 22 2017 Gura pp 14 33 Conservation at the American Antiquarian Society Archived from the original on November 16 2010 Retrieved June 13 2011 aasmaster February 28 2018 Members Directory Retrieved February 28 2018 About American Antiquarian Society www americanantiquarian org Retrieved October 28 2022 Further reading EditGoslow Brian January 30 2014 Worcester s best kept secret The American Antiquarian Society belongs to everyone Worcester Magazine Archived from the original on October 17 2014 Retrieved October 10 2014 Gura Philip F The American Antiquarian Society 1812 2012 A Bicentennial History Worcester American Antiquarian Society 2012 454 pp Shipton Clifford K The American Antiquarian Society William and Mary Quarterly 1945 164 172 Vail R W G The American Antiquarian Society Business History Review 7 6 1933 1 5 External links EditAmerican Antiquarian Society Homepage Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society Worcester Mass the Society 1843 Common Place free online scholarly history journal focused on early US Republic Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title American Antiquarian Society amp oldid 1136519659, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.