Anonymous $3 Million Grant Awarded to the Massachusetts Historical Society 

Landmark gift will honor the four-decade tenure and lasting legacy of Peter Drummey by endowing the Chief Historian position.

The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) has announced the establishment of the Peter Drummey Chief Historian position funded by the generosity of an anonymous $3,000,000 grant. This landmark gift will provide financial stability in perpetuity helping the MHS to fulfill its mission, enhance outreach, and provide access to historical scholarship. This leadership gift also comes with a challenge component that will help MHS attract additional support for its programs and exhibitions.

The newly endowed position will carry the name of current Chief Historian Peter Drummey. Over the course of 46 years working at the MHS, Drummey has assisted more than 50,000 researchers who have visited the MHS and a far larger number from a distance. People from all over the world ask MHS staff to “say hi to Peter for me,” remembering his genuine interest in and support of their research projects, and the generosity with which he shares his encyclopedic knowledge of the MHS collection. In addition, Drummey has curated numerous exhibitions, transcribed historical documents, written manuscript collection guides and subject surveys, and contributed book reviews and bibliographic essays to professional and historical journals.

Interim President Brenda Lawson shared, “Peter Drummey’s name is synonymous with the Massachusetts Historical Society. His love of history as well as of the MHS and its collection have inspired history enthusiasts from around the globe.” Serving as the Society’s primary expert on the breadth and depth of its holdings, Drummey represents the MHS to the public and shares the stories of its collection with researchers, educators, visitors, and the media. “The Chief Historian plays an essential role in the Society’s efforts to share our unparalleled collection with the world,” said Lawson. She continued, “Endowing this critical position helps to secure its role for future generations.”
 

This transformative gift arrives at a crucial moment as the MHS prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. We are grateful to the anonymous donor for this crucial gift and the recognition it provides for a beloved staff member.