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Massachusetts Historical Society

HistoryLocal HistoryArtClosed · Opens 9:30amFreeHynes Convention Center (MBTA Green Line B/C/D)

Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society is the oldest historical society in the United States and an independent research library holding millions of documents, artifacts and works of art on early American, Massachusetts and New England history. Its free exhibition galleries at 1154 Boylston Street rotate selections from those manuscript and art collections, from Adams family papers and Thomas Jefferson correspondence to printings of the Declaration of Independence. The Colonial Revival building, designed by Edmund M. Wheelwright and opened in 1899, is the Society's seventh home. Admission is free and all ages are welcome in the galleries; the reading room is open to researchers by appointment.

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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Nearest station: Hynes Convention Center (MBTA Green Line B/C/D), MBTA bus route 1 (Massachusetts Avenue)

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Hours

Mon09:30–16:45
Tue09:30–19:45
Wed09:30–16:45
ThuToday09:30–16:45
Fri09:30–16:45
Sat10:00–15:00
SunClosed

Admission

Free

Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome in the galleries; library readers must be at least 16 or accompanied by an adult.

Accessibility

Nationally Registered Landmark building equipped with a wheelchair ramp, interior ramps and a lift, giving step-free access to the reading room, exhibition galleries and other public spaces. The wheelchair ramp is on the right-hand side of the building when facing the front door, beside the accessible street spaces on the Fenway access road.

Nearby

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Art10 min walk

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Architecture13 min walk

MassArt Art Museum

ArtFree15 min walk

MIT List Visual Arts Center

DesignFree20 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Massachusetts Historical Society free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Massachusetts Historical Society is free. Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome in the galleries; library readers must be at least 16 or accompanied by an adult.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Massachusetts Historical Society?
Massachusetts Historical Society is open Exhibition galleries: Monday and Wednesday-Friday 9:30am-4:45pm, Tuesday 9:30am-7:45pm, Saturday 10am-3pm; closed Sunday. On the second Tuesday of each month the galleries open at 12pm. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Closed Wed 11 Nov 2026 (Veterans Day), Thu 26 - Sat 28 Nov 2026 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Thu 24 Dec 2026 - Sat 2 Jan 2027. On Mon 12 Oct 2026 the galleries open only 12pm-4pm for Opening Our Doors.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Massachusetts Historical Society?
Massachusetts Historical Society is located at 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA, in the Fenway / Back Bay area of Boston. The nearest stations are Hynes Convention Center (MBTA Green Line B/C/D), MBTA bus route 1 (Massachusetts Avenue).
What can I see at Massachusetts Historical Society?
America's oldest historical society: free Boylston Street galleries where Adams and Jefferson manuscripts go on public view. Current highlights include 1776: Declaring Independence.
Do I need to book Massachusetts Historical Society in advance?
Massachusetts Historical Society is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome in the galleries; library readers must be at least 16 or accompanied by an adult.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Massachusetts Historical Society?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Massachusetts Historical Society accessible?
Nationally Registered Landmark building equipped with a wheelchair ramp, interior ramps and a lift, giving step-free access to the reading room, exhibition galleries and other public spaces. The wheelchair ramp is on the right-hand side of the building when facing the front door, beside the accessible street spaces on the Fenway access road.

ajay_suresh, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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