Finding Materials for American Revolution History

Detail of The Bloody Massacre, engraving by Paul Revere,  1773.  Catalog record. This print is included in the online exhibition Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere.

Researchers can find a variety of primary and secondary sources documenting the era of the American Revolution (1765-1783). The following research guide is intended to serve as a starting point for your research.

Finding Primary Sources

The General Catalog uses genre/form term. Researchers can use the following term:

 The General Catalog uses Library of Congress subject headings including: 

If you don't find what you are looking for please email our staff at reference [at] mwa.org (reference[at]mwa[dot]org).

The February 6-13, 1766 issue of The Halifax Gazette has a devil woodcut in protest of the Stamp Act. Catalog record. This newspaper is included in The News Media and the Making of America, 1730-1865.

Digital Collections and Projects

The following digital collections are freely available from anywhere.

The following digital collections are available to researchers who are present at AAS and signed on to AAS networks. Publishers provide separate tools for searching their collections.  Some feature materials not held at AAS. 

Tea salvaged from Boston Harbor after the Boston Tea Party, 1773.  This artifact is included in the online exhibition Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere.

 

Recorded Programs

The series US@250 features presentations most of which resulted from research completed in the AAS collection.

Fellowship Opportunities

The American Antiquarian Society awards over forty fellowships annually. Fellowships are offered for postdoctoral academics,  advanced graduate students, independent scholars, as well as for creative and performing artists and writers.