What's new

Coming this Fall:"Traces of the Trade:
The Massachusetts Story"  
The newly released documentary, Traces of the Trade, will be the centerpiece of our programming in commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of the foreign slave trade, this fall. Entitled Traces of the Trade: The Massachusetts Story, this programming will feature screenings of the film, paired with archival materials, at a number of historical sites in Massachusetts that have relevance to the economy of slavery, in order to stimulate discussion about the centrality of the business of slavery to the Massachusetts economy prior to the Civil War. The program is funded, in part, by a We the People grant from the National Endownment for the Humanities. 

Mass History Fall Programming 2008
Read our interview with Katrina Browne
To mark the 200^th anniversary of the abolition of the legal importation of slaves into the United States, our Fall 2008 programming will feature the documentary Traces of the Trade -- A story from the deep North, which has been called an "extraordinary excavation of family secrets and Yankee myth that sheds new light on American race relations."

Northampton Office Expands
After choosing western Massachusetts for its sole location and settling in to the Shepard House at Historic Northampton, Mass Humanities has been abuzz with the sounds of change due to the addition of new staff members, we have been in the midst of renovating rooms and shuffling offices, while continuing to preserve the integrity of the historic building. The renovations were completed in March 2008 and the staff are enjoying being together in one building.The Foundation's satellite office closed July 2007. Both staff members, Ellen Rothman and Zack Howard have left the Foundation to pursue new challenges.

Nominations Sought
The Foundation is actively seeking nominations of qualified individuals to serve on its board of directors. Candidates must live or work in Massachusetts and believe in the importance of the humanities and their relevance to contemporary life. If you would like to nominate someone, or are interested yourself, please read the information here.