The collection of the MHS provides an unparalleled record of American history. Well-known for extensive holdings of personal papers from three presidents—John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson—the MHS also holds accounts of the lives of thousands of ordinary Americans. This extraordinary collection helps to tell the story of America through millions of rare and unique documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable national treasures. We collect materials from all segments of the population and all time periods--including current day. Our project to collect first-person accounts of daily life during COVID-19 is one example.
The collection is available to all in person, online, and through exhibitions and programs. Learn more about doing research at the MHS.
Use these tools to view highlights, digital collections, and other resources.
