Historical Societies
Explore 40 historical societies preserving American heritage across the nation — from colonial archives to frontier museums.
Click a state to explore its civic resources
American Historical Association
Founded in 1884, the largest professional organization serving historians in all fields and all professions, promoting historical thinking and scholarship.
American Antiquarian Society
Founded in 1812, a learned society and national research library of American history and culture through 1876, with over 4 million items.
Massachusetts Historical Society
Founded in 1791, the oldest historical society in the United States. Premier research facility on early American history with extensive manuscript collections.
Vermont Historical Society
Coordinates network of nearly 200 local historical societies throughout Vermont, operating the Vermont History Museum and extensive research library.
Maine Historical Society
Third oldest state historical society in the US, founded in 1822. Operates museum, research library, and historic Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
New-York Historical Society
Oldest museum in New York City, founded in 1804. Major research library and museum with collections spanning four centuries of American history.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1824, preserves over 21 million documents and 300,000 graphic images documenting Pennsylvania and national history.
New Jersey Historical Society
Founded in 1845, documenting and interpreting New Jersey history through museum exhibits, educational programs, and extensive archives.
Visit SiteConnecticut Museum of Culture and History
Connecticut's official state history museum and historical society, founded in 1825, with 4 million manuscripts and artifacts.
Georgia Historical Society
Founded in 1839, premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical Society, the oldest cultural organization in Virginia with 9 million items documenting 400 years.
South Carolina Historical Society
Founded in 1855, collecting and preserving information on South Carolina history with extensive manuscript and visual collections.
Tennessee Historical Commission
State agency coordinating historic preservation and operating the Tennessee State Museum with comprehensive Tennessee history collections.
Visit SiteFlorida Historical Society
Founded in 1856, oldest existing cultural organization in Florida, operating Library of Florida History and publishing Florida Historical Quarterly.
Kentucky Historical Society
State agency founded in 1836, operating the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History with museum, research library, and educational programs.
Chicago History Museum
Founded in 1856, Chicago's oldest cultural institution with over 23 million artifacts documenting Chicago and American history.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Founded in 1846, one of the largest and most active state historical societies in the nation, operating museums, historic sites, and archives.
Minnesota Historical Society
Founded in 1849, operating 26 historic sites and museums statewide, plus extensive research center and educational programs.
Ohio History Connection
Founded in 1885, managing 50+ museums and sites across Ohio, plus extensive archives and archaeological collections.
Indiana Historical Society
Founded in 1830, Indiana's storyteller connecting people to the past through collections, education, and community engagement.
State Historical Society of Iowa
Founded in 1857, preserving and sharing Iowa's history through museums, historic sites, research centers, and educational programs.
Kansas Historical Society
Founded in 1875, operating Kansas Museum of History and statewide network of historic sites documenting frontier and plains history.
State Historical Society of Missouri
Founded in 1898, comprehensive research center with manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, and extensive Missouri history collections.
Historical Society of Michigan
Founded in 1828, statewide organization coordinating over 400 local historical societies and promoting Michigan history education.
Texas State Historical Association
Founded in 1897, publishes the authoritative Handbook of Texas and promotes research, preservation, and education of Texas history.
Arizona Historical Society
Founded in 1864, operating museums and research facilities across Arizona documenting territorial and state history.
Historical Society of New Mexico
Founded in 1859, promoting New Mexico history through publications, conferences, and collaboration with local historical societies.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Founded in 1893, operating Oklahoma History Center and network of museums documenting Native American, frontier, and oil history.
Oregon Historical Society
Founded in 1898, putting the power of Oregon's rich history into everyone's hands through museum, research library, and publications.
Washington State Historical Society
Founded in 1891, operating Washington State History Museum and promoting history education and preservation throughout the state.
California Historical Society
Founded in 1871, collecting and preserving California history through extensive archives, photographs, and artifacts documenting the Golden State.
Montana Historical Society
Founded in 1865, operating museum, research center, and historic sites documenting Montana's frontier, mining, and Native American heritage.
Nevada Historical Society
Founded in 1904, researching and interpreting Nevada history through museum exhibits, collections, and educational programs.
Utah State Historical Society
Founded in 1897, preserving Utah's history through research library, museum, historic preservation, and educational outreach.
Idaho State Historical Society
Founded in 1907, operating Idaho State Museum and archives documenting the state's diverse history from indigenous peoples to present.
Alaska Historical Society
Founded in 1970, promoting understanding and appreciation of Alaska's history through publications, conferences, and support for local societies.
Hawaiian Historical Society
Founded in 1892, preserving Hawaiian history through extensive collections of manuscripts, photographs, and publications on island heritage.
Palatine Historical Society
Formed in 1955, operates the George Clayson House Museum and preserves the history of Palatine and northwest suburban Chicago.
McHenry County Historical Society & Museum
Preserves McHenry County history through research library, museum exhibits, and acclaimed educational programs including one-room schoolhouse.
Visit SiteSangamon County Historical Society
Documents and preserves the history of Springfield and Sangamon County, including extensive Abraham Lincoln connections and research.
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