American Antiquarian Society

The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) is both a learned society and a national research library housing the largest and most accessible collection of books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, sheet music, and graphic arts material printed through 1876 in what is now the United States. The Society's web address is www.americanantiquarian.org.

Description:
The AAS library today houses the largest and most accessible collection of books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, sheet music, and graphic arts material printed through 1876 in what is now the United States, as well as manuscripts and a substantial collection of secondary works, bibliographies, and other reference works related to all aspects of American history and culture before the twentieth century.
The Society sponsors a broad range of programs - visiting research fellowships, research, education, publications, lectures, and concerts - for constituencies ranging from school children and their teachers, through undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, creative and performing artists and writers, and the general public. A current major undertaking is the preparation of a five-volume collaborative, interdisciplinary work of scholarship, A History of the Book in America.
The library is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on all legal holidays. The library is open to all serious researchers, free of charge. Complimentary public tours are held Wednesdays at 2:00 P.M. The Society is located on the web at www.americanantiquarian.org.

History:
The American Antiquarian Society was founded in 1812 as the third oldest historical society in the country and the first to be national in scope. Originally, the Society collected both artifacts and printed materials and had an active exhibition in its first two homes in Worcester. By the late nineteenth century the Society retooled its mission to be that of an outstanding research library focused on early American history and culture.

Contact people:

Ann-Cathrine Rapp, (508) 471-2135, (email) Ed Harris, Vice President for Operations, 508-471-2162, (email) James Moran, Director of Outreach, 508-471-2131, (email)

Address:

185 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.americanantiquarian.org

Directions:

The library of the American Antiquarian Society is located at: 185 Salisbury Street Worcester, Massachusetts. Telephone: 508-755-5221 The Society's Goddard-Daniels House is directly across the street at: 190 Salisbury Street Worcester, Massachusetts.   Nearest Bus Stop: Salisbury Street, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	15 yo and above

Last updated on January 23, 2009