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28-552: The American Catholic Historical Society ( ACHS ) is a historical society based at 263 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Founded in 1884, it is the oldest Catholic historical society in the United States . The goal of the society is to collect, research, and maintain historical records relating to the contribution of the Catholic Church to American society and culture. The American Catholic Historical Society

56-436: A balancing of public policy that mandates with the society's mission creating a potential for political influence on historical interpretation. Collaboration with Universities: Some historical societies engage in partnerships with universities, tapping into academic knowledge and potentially utilizing shared resources or personnel. Governance arrangements may include a combined board or advisory committees. Benefits from of

84-508: A crucial role in shaping the composition and responsibilities of the governing body, especially for organizations reliant on government support. The mission and focus of a society also influence its governance, with boards of societies dedicated to specific historical themes often benefitting from members with relevant expertise in the field. New York takes a unique approach to cultural agencies, viewing them not as nonprofit businesses but as educational organizations. These cultural agencies play

112-460: A deeper global understanding of Asia's rich history. Jeremy Belknap Jeremy Belknap (June 4, 1744 – June 20, 1798) was an American clergyman and historian. His great achievement was the History of New Hampshire , published in three volumes between 1784 and 1792. This work is the first modern history written by an American, embodying a new rigor in research, annotation, and reporting. Belknap

140-535: A field. He continued his quest into history, seeking ways to report and preserve historic sources. On January 24, 1791, he invited nine friends with similar interests to meet at his home. They agreed to help build a repository for these records. The meeting resulted in the Massachusetts Historical Society , which was the first historical society and served as a prototype for many later ones. They also pledged to contribute family papers. John Eliot ,

168-620: A focus on academic research, public engagement, and significant collections spanning archaeology, classical studies, and colonial-era documents. Despite grappling with their colonial past, these societies benefit from established infrastructure and funding for extensive research and global collaborations. Asian historical societies in countries like China, Japan, and India have diverse focuses, from specific dynasties to cultural traditions. With vast collections of ancient texts and artifacts, these societies bridge traditional knowledge systems with Western research methods, promoting cultural exchange and

196-567: A fourth-generation descendant of the 17th-century " Apostle to the Indians " and himself a minister, added Governor Thomas Hutchinson 's manuscript for the History of Massachusetts Bay , which his father Andrew Eliot had saved during the Revolution when a mob looted the governor's home. In 1792 Belknap published his An Historical Account of those persons who have been distinguished in America , which

224-474: A historical society itself has evolved over time. Early institutions have concentrated on material culture (like the Academy) while later ones embraced broader historical research methods. The inception of historical societies can be traced back to Western Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, where they were often founded by enthusiasts of antiquity. These societies experienced a significant surge in growth in

252-488: A hybrid model can leverage the strengths of different institutions and fosters collaboration across cultural sectors but navigating the complexities of inter-institutional decision make for potential conflicts of interest. Factors Affecting Governance are the size and budget of an organization can impact the structure of its board, with larger societies with paid staff often requiring a more formalized approach compared to smaller volunteer-run groups. The sources of funding play

280-730: A vital resource for researchers, genealogists, and the general public. Many historical societies have staff historians who conduct research on their collections and broader historical topics. They publish books, articles, and educational materials to share their findings with the public. Historical societies organize lectures, workshops, tours, and exhibitions to engage the community and educate them about history. These programs can range from introductory talks for general audiences to specialized conferences for academic researchers. Historical societies often collaborate with local schools, libraries, and community centers to offer educational programs and promote historical literacy. The concept of

308-809: A vital role in the educational system, operating under Education Law instead of Corporation Law and falling under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York . American historical societies emphasize local and state history, often decentralized with strong volunteer bases. They hold extensive collections of documents and artifacts, focusing on oral histories to capture diverse community experiences. Despite funding and staffing challenges, their grassroots initiatives prioritize underrepresented stories. European historical societies, rooted in royal patronage, often feature centralized structures with

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336-729: Is the most prevalent structure. A volunteer board of directors , composed of community leaders, history enthusiasts, and sometimes professional expertise, oversees the society's operations. The board sets strategic direction, hires an executive director , and approves budgets. The benefits of this model provides diverse perspectives, fosters community engagement, and leverages volunteer expertise. Its challenges are that board members might require training on non-profit governance and historical best practices. Ensuring continuity of vision with board member turnover can be difficult. State Historical Societies: Some states have government-established historical societies that receive partial funding from

364-623: The Progressive Era to serve the public. Interest in local history surged in the 20th century, especially in preserving changing cities. The founding of the American Association for State and Local History in 1940 further emphasized this shift. Over time, historical societies diversified their focus to include marginalized groups, reflecting changes in the discipline of history and societal developments towards greater inclusivity. External support and contributions have long been integral to

392-751: The ACHS, oversaw its merger with the journal of the Philadelphia society. Since 1999, the journal, under its current name, has been published on a quarterly basis by Villanova University . Historical society Historical societies vary in specialization, with focuses ranging from specific geographical areas such as countries, states/provinces or cities/towns, ethnographic such as ethnic and genealogical , and topical such as transportation, event based, or military history. Historical societies acquire and maintain historical materials like documents, photographs, artifacts, and audio recordings. These collections serve as

420-708: The attention of intellectual leaders across the country. Belknap was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1784. In 1785 he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences . This latter association also resulted in an offer to return to Boston. Belknap accepted a new position in 1787, when he moved back to Boston to become pastor of the Federal Street Church . He would serve there until his death. He remained active in research, writing, and promoting American history as

448-510: The first formally established historical society in the United States goes to the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS), founded in 1791. While there were earlier informal groups with similar aims, the MHS stands out for its official structure and dedication to preserving American history. The MHS owes its creation to Reverend Jeremy Belknap , a passionate antiquarian and minister. Concerned about

476-479: The first half of the 19th century, coinciding with a renewed interest in history alongside the rise of bourgeois - nationalistic ideals, the strengthening of national identities, and advancements in scientific historical research methods. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, historical societies have played a pivotal role on a large scale, disseminating a wealth of historical source materials, producing their own publications, and organizing congresses. The title of

504-633: The first volume of the History of New Hampshire , but it would take until 1792 to complete the work. The work was not successful at first, and sales were disappointing, and did better around Boston than in New Hampshire. Its reputation grew over the years, however, and after his death, Alexis de Tocqueville named him as America's best native historian. The History represented a new approach in its field. Besides just narrating events, he added two innovations. He tried to clearly separate facts from analysis and opinion, and he provided many annotations to show

532-417: The loss of historical materials, Belknap gathered a group of like-minded Bostonians, including scholars, politicians, and civic leaders. Together, they envisioned an organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and studying the history of Massachusetts and, by extension, the broader American story. Historical societies evolved in the 19th century with more inclusive membership policies, transitioning in

560-428: The next winter as chaplain to the New Hampshire troops involved with the siege. Besides attending to his growing congregation, Belknap served as a secretary to the convention of New Hampshire ministers from 1769 until 1787. This position required travel throughout the state, and he used it as a chance to begin accumulating notes on the history of New Hampshire. In 1772 he began to write his history. In 1784 he published

588-689: The school" and studied theology with Samuel Haven (Harvard College class of 1749). In 1767 he began his ministry in Dover, New Hampshire , where he would spend twenty years at the Congregational Church . He also married that year and acquired a house in Dover. After the Battle of Lexington in 1775 some units of the Dover militia were called out to support the Siege of Boston . Belknap accompanied them and remained through

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616-600: The society's manuscript collections. The American Catholic Historical Society issues the oldest continuously published Catholic scholarly journal in the United States, entitled American Catholic Studies. The journal was founded in 1887 as the Records , and merged with American Catholic Historical Researches in 1913. The Researches had been the project of Msgr. Andrew Arnold Lambing and his short-lived Ohio Valley Historical Society . When that society dissolved in 1886, Martin I. J. Griffin carried on its work, and as librarian of

644-418: The source and location of records that he had inspected. Besides his History , Belknap began work on an American biographical dictionary in 1779. This effort caused him to begin corresponding with many of the leading men of letters, politics, and religion throughout the colonies. He would eventually publish his American Biographies in two volumes in 1794 and 1798. In the meantime, his efforts brought him to

672-525: The state legislature. These societies often have a board with a mix of appointed and elected members, balancing public accountability with expert guidance. Municipal or County Historical Societies:  These societies might receive funding from local governments while maintaining a degree of autonomy. Their boards might include a mix of appointed officials and community representatives. The benefits of this model are access to government funding can support larger projects and professional staffing but require

700-417: The sustainability of historical societies. Donations, memberships, annual funds, corporate sponsorships, internships, volunteering, and utilizing historic spaces all play vital roles in the ongoing growth and preservation of these nonprofit organizations. Historical societies in the United States diversity in their governance structures. This reflects their varied missions, sizes, and funding sources. This

728-528: Was born in Boston , Province of Massachusetts Bay , the son of a tanner . His uncle was Mather Byles , one of New England's intellectual leaders. Belknap was baptized by the historian Thomas Prince , another leading figure of 18th-century New England . He was educated at the Boston Latin School and Harvard College , where he graduated in 1762. In 1764 he moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire , where he "kept

756-542: Was founded in response to Pope Leo XIII 's 1883 pastoral letter on historical studies, Saepenumero considerantes . The society was organized on July 22, 1884, received the blessing of the pope on January 10, 1886, and formally approved by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Patrick John Ryan , on September 6, 1886. The Catholic Historical Research Center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia houses

784-674: Was the first of a distinguished line of dictionaries of American biography . That same year, he became one of the overseers of Harvard University . Belknap died in Boston and was buried at the Granary Burying Ground . His remains were later re-interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts . Belknap County, New Hampshire , is named in his honor. He is featured on a New Hampshire historical marker ( number 51 ) along

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