Nov 3, 2025 - History

6 Boston institutions unite for Autumn in the Archives event

Mike Deehan

Beige stone building with pillars, black wrought-iron balconies, and engraved "Massachusetts Historical Society" on the granite base, surrounded by small bushes and a black fence. — The Massachusetts Historical Society in the Back Bay. Photo: Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Some Boston-area archives and libraries are opening their collections and coordinating special exhibitions to highlight autumnal historical artifacts.

Why it matters: It's an opportunity to spend a fall day on a "library crawl" through some archival material that's not always on display.

It's also an incredibly nerdy Boston thing to do this post-Halloween week. So wear your best elbow-patched tweed, you big dork.

What's happening: The Boston Public Library hosts a gallery talk with archivists on Tuesday at 2pm and Thursday at 12:30pm.

The Massachusetts Historical Society displays a pop-up exhibition of 18th- and 19th-century mourning imagery all day until Saturday.
Boston CSJ Archives presents autumn poetry at Sisters of St. Joseph's Motherhouse Foyer in Brighton from 12 to 3pm.
MassArt exhibits Halloween works through Dec. 5 at the Tower Building's 13th-floor space.
The Northeastern University archives have an open house all week.
The State Library of Massachusetts Special Collections at the State House will be open Tuesday 11am to 1pm.

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6 Boston institutions unite for Autumn in the Archives event

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