Hands-On History Workshop

A Primer on Conducting Historical Research

We will be joined by Mary Fuhrer, who will provide insights into the life of people living in New England in the eighteenth century and tips on how to recover evidence of their lives and personalities through letters, diaries, vital, church and town records, tax valuations, wills, deeds, and other materials. Additionally, the American Antiquarian Society Reading Room Manager Kimberly Toney will provide an overview of the resources available at the Society, including our digital resources.

Mary Fuhrer is a public historian who specializes in the social history of New England. She has a B.A. in History from Princeton University, an M.A. in Public History from George Mason University, and a Ph.D. in American History from the University of New Hampshire. Mary’s professional experience has focused on recovering the everyday life of New England’s folk and helping others use primary source evidence to tell stories from the past. Her latest book is A Crisis of Community: The Trials and Transformation of a New England Town, 1815-1848, which was just published by the University of North Carolina Press in March 2014.

This program will take place in the Goddard-Daniels House, 190 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA.

Additional information on other hands-on history workshops.