Explore the Mass Humanities funded projects awarded from 2000 to the present. Browse by grant type, city, region or keyword. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive news when grants are awarded.
Make it Plain: The Agency and Legacy of People of Color in the Massachusetts Council of ChurchesMassachusetts Council of Churchesmore
A Scholar in Residence Grant to conduct archival research and ethnographies on race, racism, and the experiences of people of color in the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Laura Everett
awarded on: 2019-07-29
amount: $3,500
Susanna Rowson in Medford 1799-1803Medford Historical Societymore
Research on and transcription of their Swan Collection of letters, along with two public lectures on the material.
Medford, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Kyna Hamill
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,500
Inside the Porter & McLeod Machine Shop: Precision Manufacturing on Hatfield's Mill RiverHatfield Historical Societymore
Research on the Society's collection of business records, photos, and artifacts from the local machine shop to develop a better understanding of how and why a small precision manufacturing shop, with global connections, grew and prospered in a small agricultural community in western Massachusetts
Hatfield, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Kathie Gow
awarded on: 2017-05-08
amount: $3,500
Institutes, Outing Clubs & Working Class Perspectives on StonehurstStonehurst, Robert Treat Paine Estatemore
Research that will form the foundation for future programs at the summer estate of activist and reformer Robert Treat Paine.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Ann Clifford
awarded on: 2016-10-17
amount: $3,500
At Sword's Point: A Labor History of GreenfieldMuseum of Our Industrial Heritagemore
Research and an overview history of local factory labor based on materials in the collection of the Museum and other sources.
Greenfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: James Terapane
awarded on: 2016-03-18
amount: $3,000
Understanding Early 20th Century Medical Care in HatfieldHatfield Historical Societymore
Examination and interpretation of Hatfield Historical Museum's medical collection from the early 1900s, focusing on Dr. Charles A. Byrne.
Hatfield, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Kathie Gow
awarded on: 2015-03-20
amount: $3,000
Listening to Change on Working WaterfrontCommunity Economic Development Centermore
Development of a thematic and comprehensive understanding of facilitated discussion with the fishing community recorded since 2004 on the Narrative Stage and preparation of the materials for archival storage and public access.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Laura Orleans
awarded on: 2014-03-31
amount: $3,000
Hawk Valley Farm - 350th Anniversary of the First Settlement North of the Merrimack RiverLowell Parks & Conservation Trustmore
Research into and documentation of the land use history of Hawk Valley Farm (1664), a five-acre conservation property that is still occupied by the descendants of the settlers.
Lowell, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Jane Calvin
awarded on: 2013-03-15
amount: $3,000
Elizabeth Cadman WhiteWestport Historical Societymore
Research into the life of Elizabeth Cadman White (1685-1768), one of the first owners of the 1710 Cadman-White-Handy House, and her social, cultural, economic, and political environment.
Westport, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Jenny O'Neill
awarded on: 2013-03-15
amount: $3,000
The Cultural Landscape of Herman Melville's ArrowheadBerkshire Historical Societymore
Research into the cultural landscape of Arrowhead, Herman Melville's farm in Pittsfield, during the period of his residency from 1850-1862, in order to better interpret Melville's life and work.
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Will Garrison
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $2,900
Salem's Franco-American History: Transcribing, Translating and Developing Thematic Guide to Oral HistorySalem State Universitymore
Transcription and translation of 20 videotaped oral histories of former and current Franco-American residents of Salem.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Susan Edwards
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $3,000
The Jacob Whittemore House - A Whittemore Family BiographyMinute Man National Historic Parkmore
Research into the multigenerational Whittemore family.
Concord, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Leslie Obleschuk
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $2,650
The Antislavery Movement in CummingtonCummington Historical Commissionmore
Support for research on the extensive antislavery activity that took place in the small rural hilltown of Cummington during the three decades that preceded the Civil War.
Cummington, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Carla Ness
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $3,000
Abolition and "Underground Railroad" in Northampton Center in the Collection of Historic NorthamptonHistoric Northamptonmore
Research on a collection regarding the "New Organization" Liberty and Free Soil abolitionists who were active in Northampton Center, with the goal of placing abolition and the "underground railroad" in their proper context for programming.
Northampton, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Steve Strimer
awarded on: 2011-03-11
amount: $3,000
Pathways to the Past: Primary Sources for Primary GradesNorth Andover Historical Societymore
Identification of themes that come out of the Society's holdings and North Andover history that match the Massachusetts Frameworks curriculum; those materials will then be made accessible to teachers for use in classrooms.
North Andover, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Inga C. Larson
awarded on: 2011-03-11
amount: $3,000
Transforming Norwood: Architect William G. Upham's Contribution to Early 20th Century Norwood HistoryNorwood Historical Societymore
Research on the architectural style and historical significance of municipal and commercial buildings in Norwood that were designed by architect William G. Upham between 1910 and 1930, in order to interpret their relevance to the town's civic identity and the landscape through public programming.
Norwood, MA, Norfolk County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Patricia Fanning
awarded on: 2011-03-11
amount: $2,952
"In the Course of Their Cultivation"Gore Placemore
Transcription of farm journals, contextualize Gore Place farming of the Federal era, and integrate the information into a new farm plan.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Tamar Agulian
awarded on: 2010-03-12
amount: $3,000
New Perspectives on the History of Redware in Peabody MAPeabody Historical Societymore
Research on and interpretation of the Society's collection of redware pottery for an exhibit in 2011.
Peabody, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Heather Leavell
awarded on: 2010-03-12
amount: $2,809
The Relics of RebellionWorcester Historical Museummore
Research and interpretation of the Society's collection of military objects from the Civil War for a 150th anniversary exhibit.
Worcester, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Holly Izard
awarded on: 2010-03-12
amount: $3,000
Mohicans in Western MassachusettsTrustees of Reservationsmore
Research into Mohican cultural resources in preparation for reinterpreting the Mission House and Monument Mountain in Stockbridge.
Beverly, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Will Garrison
awarded on: 2010-03-12
amount: $2,962
North Sunderland and the Connecticut RiverSunderland Historical Commissionmore
Research on North Sunderland's relation to the natural resources of the Connecticut River, incorporating insights from natural and environmental history in a historic tour.
Sunderland, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Linda Lopatka
awarded on: 2009-03-13
amount: $2,862
The 19th Century Westport Woman: Exploring her Life through her ClothesWestport Historical Societymore
Research and interpretation of the Society's collection of clothes used by women in the rural community of Westport during the nineteenth century.
Westport, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Jenny O'Neill
awarded on: 2009-03-13
amount: $3,000
Native American Occupation of Pamet River DrainageTruro Historical Societymore
Research on a collection of Native American artifacts from the Rose Farm area of Corn Hill in Truro, and provide interpretive material for scholars and visitors.
Truro, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Deborah Minsky
awarded on: 2009-03-13
amount: $2,750
Finding Voices in the SilenceForest Hills Educational Trustmore
Identification and research of African Americans buried at Forest Hills and incorporation of the findings into a walking tour.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Cecily Miller
awarded on: 2009-03-13
amount: $3,000
A 19th Century Townscape in the 20th Century: Laurel Hill and Urban Planning and Preservation in StockbridgeStockbridge Librarymore
Research on the planning, landscape design, preservation and promotion of Stockbridge from 1853-1993 by the Laurel Hill Association.
Stockbridge, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Barbara Allen
awarded on: 2008-06-13
amount: $2,500
Early Turkish Immigrants in Peabody and the Leather IndustryGeorge Peabody House Museummore
Research into the history and influence of the Turkish people on the city of Peabody during the leatherworking period of the late 19th and early 20th century.
Peabody, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Merritt Kirkpatrick
awarded on: 2008-06-13
amount: $2,000
Women's Lives in Mid-19th Century Westfield and their Role in the Founding of the Westfield AthenaeumWestfield Athenaeummore
Research to analyze and annotate the primary source documents produced by several women in mid-nineteenth century Westfield. Electronic and written resources will be produced for use by patrons, students, and visiting scholars.
Westfield, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Ralph Melnick
awarded on: 2008-06-01
amount: $2,500
Rediscovering Hawley's Old Town CommonSons and Daughters of Hawley, Inc.more
Document the establishment of Hawley's old town common identifying the people involved and examining their motives.
Hawley, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Raymond L. Gotta
awarded on: 2008-05-01
amount: $2,478
Attleboro Area Industrial Museum SIRAttleboro Area Industrial Museummore
Research into Attleboro's great fire of 1898.
Attleboro, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: George Shelton
awarded on: 2007-04-15
amount: $2,500
Inquiry into the Role of African-Americans at Old NorthOld North Foundationmore
Research on the lives of enslaved and free Africans and African-Americans who were members of the Old North congregation.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Christine Baron
awarded on: 2007-03-13
amount: $2,500
Fashionable Accessories: Daveys HandbagsWorcester Historical Museummore
A study of the records and product samples from Daveys, a Worcester handbag company. The records now reside with the Worcester Historical Museum.
Worcester, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Holly Izard
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,500
Men at Work: Overseers in Lowell's Ante-bellum Textile MillsCenter for Lowell Historymore
A study of the male overseers at Lowell's ante-bellum textile mills.
Lowell, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Martha Mayo
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,500
Keeping the Harvest: Historic Foodways in the AndoversAndover Historical Societymore
Archival research into the artifacts related to food history held by both Andover and North Andover Historical Societies. Resources developed will be used for new programs.
Andover, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Juliet H. Mofford
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,500
The Straw and Textile Industries in Stoughton and Easton Massachusetts in the Early 19th CenturyStoughton Historical Societymore
A study of the development of the straw-braiding and textile industries in Stoughton and Easton from before the War of 1812 to approximately 1840, as reflected in the Hodges Collection of business ledgers and day books.
Stoughton, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Dwight H. MacKerron
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,390
Investigating the Crypt at Old NorthOld North Foundationmore
An investigation of the Crypt of the Old North Church to determine who is buried there.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Christine Baron
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,427
Twentieth Century Farming at the Bryant HomesteadWilliam Cullen Bryant Homesteadmore
A research project to determine the farming and dairying activities that occurred at the Bryant Homestead from 1900-1959.
Cummington, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Ellice Gonzalez
awarded on: 2006-04-07
amount: $2,497
Scholar in Residence - Clara Barton Birthplace MuseumClara Barton Birthplace Museummore
"Clustering Memories of Clara" - Developing an interpretive plan that tells the complete story of Clara Barton - the child, the woman, the humanitarian, the inspiration.
North Oxford, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Cathy Woods
awarded on: 2005-05-02
amount: $2,500
Scholar in Residence - Forest Hills Educational TrustForest Hills Educational Trustmore
Documentation and cataloguing of representative selection of both unusual and typical sculpture, gravestones and monuments by "anonymous" or little-known carvers which mark 19th century family burial lots.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Cecily Miller
awarded on: 2005-04-27
amount: $2,500
Scholar in Residence - Robert Treat Paine Historical TrustStonehurst, Robert Treat Paine Estatemore
Research aimed to deep understanding and interpretation of the servants that lived on the property of Stonehurst.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Ann Clifford
awarded on: 2005-04-27
amount: $2,500
Scholar in Residence - Berkshire Historical SocietyBerkshire Historical Societymore
Tor Court in Context: Impact of the Gilded Age on the economic and physical development in Pittsfield.
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Catherine Reynolds
awarded on: 2005-04-27
amount: $2,500