Massachusetts Archives facts for kids
The Massachusetts Archives is a special place in Massachusetts that keeps important historical documents safe. Think of it like a giant memory bank for the state! Its main job is to save and share official papers from the government. It also helps different government groups manage their records. The Archives building is located in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, on the University of Massachusetts Boston campus.
This amazing collection includes Massachusetts' own copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. It also has the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution and the 1629 charter of the Massachusetts Bay. You can find records from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War here too. Many documents are signed by famous people like George Washington, John Adams, and John Hancock. There are also old agreements with Native American tribes, and records about slavery and witchcraft. The Archives even has cool artifacts, such as Paul Revere’s engraving plate for the Boston Massacre and military items from different wars.
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Commonwealth Museum: A Look into History
The Massachusetts Archives also runs the Commonwealth Museum. This museum is a place where you can see some of the amazing documents and artifacts from the Archives. It's a great way to learn about the history of Massachusetts and the United States.
The main exhibit is called "The Massachusetts Experiment in Democracy: 1620–Today." It shows how Massachusetts has grown and changed from the Colonial times, through the Revolutionary War, and up to today. Another part of the exhibit, "Tracing our Roots," tells the stories of four different families from Massachusetts. These families represent Native American, English, African-American, and Irish backgrounds. The museum also has special exhibits that change over time, showing different parts of state history. The best part? It's free to visit!
History of the Archives
The idea of organizing Massachusetts' important papers began a long time ago.
How It Started: The 1800s
In 1835, people realized how important it was to organize the state's historical papers. The Massachusetts Historical Society asked the state government for help. The government agreed and provided money for the project.
A man named Joseph B. Felt was hired in 1836 to arrange all the state's old documents. This was a huge job! The papers were in a complete mess, mixed up from over 200 years. Many were hard to read, and most didn't have clear labels. Felt had to carefully read every single paper to figure out where it belonged. He created a whole new system to classify them.
This work took him about ten years. At one point, he even traveled to England to find copies of old Colonial and Provincial records that had been lost. By 1846, the job was done. The papers were sorted into different groups, organized by topic and date. They were carefully attached to blank pages, bound into strong books, and clearly labeled. A main index was also created. This huge effort resulted in 241 large, thick volumes of historical documents.
Not everyone loved Felt's system. Some scholars found it difficult to use. However, these volumes still held a treasure trove of information for those patient enough to explore them. Later, in the 1850s, some of these old handwritten documents were copied and printed, making them much easier for people to read.
A New Home: The 1900s
For many years, the Massachusetts Archives was located in the Massachusetts State House. But in 1984, something important happened: the 1629 Charter of Massachusetts Bay was stolen. Even though it was later found, this event led to a big decision. The state decided to build a brand new, safer home for the Archives.
The new building opened in 1985. It's a large, 100,000-square-foot building designed to look like the old forts that used to be along the coastline. It's located near the John F. Kennedy Library in Dorchester.
The Archives Today: The 2000s
In recent years, the Archives has faced challenges with its budget. For example, in 2010, the money given to the Archives was cut by a lot compared to the year before. Despite this, the Archives continues its vital work of preserving Massachusetts' history for everyone.
What the Archives Holds
The Massachusetts Archives has a huge collection of documents and items covering the entire history of the state. Here are some of the types of things you can find there:
- Government Records:
* Founding Documents: Old charters, agreements with Native American tribes, and the state's Constitution. * Laws and Meetings: Records from the colonial General Court (the old legislature), the Provincial Congress, and the current Massachusetts General Court. This includes petitions, reports, bills, and records of votes. * Secretary of State Records: Files about elections, rules, and appointments of state and local officials. * Executive Records: Papers from the Governor and other state departments like Education, Health, and Transportation.
- Special Early Records (before 1800):
* A collection of 328 volumes with colonial, provincial, and Revolutionary War records. * Papers about the settlement of lands in what is now Maine. * Copies of records from the Plymouth Colony (1620-1691), including laws, court cases, and financial documents. * Documents about Native American affairs, including military and trading records. * Records related to witchcraft trials, such as witness statements and court orders.
- Other Historical Files:
* Records from the Massachusetts Historical Commission about historic sites. * Surveys and records from the Work Projects Administration (WPA) about historical records and portraits.
- Non-Text Items:
* Photos: Pictures of governors, state buildings, and public works projects. * Maps: Old maps of Maine, early state maps, and plans for parks, roads, and buildings. * Paintings: Artworks, like paintings of New England birds. * Audio-Visuals: Recordings of press conferences, public announcements, and interviews.
- Local and Private Records:
* Records from local towns, including birth, death, and marriage records. * Records from old jails and schools, and files from the Boston Housing Authority. * Personal papers of some governors, military documents, and architectural plans.
Images for kids
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The Commonwealth Museum located at Columbia Point in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
