Massachusetts, the cradle of American industry, is at a crossroads between preservation and erasure.

[Mass History Alliance]

Good morning,

In the 19th century, Massachusetts was a leader in creating a new industrial  economy based on manufacturing. Many of its cities expanded rapidly, their populations growing alongside local manufacturing. Historical organizations confront challenges in interpreting industrial histories, often struggling to identify relevant stories that speak to today’s audiences.

In, “Massachusetts Industrial History: A Vanishing Legacy?,"  Eric Peterson, of Industrial History New England will highlight the Bay State’s diverse museums and sites dedicated to our innovative manufacturing pasts.

Professor Robert Forrant,  Distinguished University Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and author of Interpreting Labor and Working-Class History at Museums and Historic Sites,  warns of a growing existential threat: recent federal efforts to defund and sanitize these narratives, stripping away the complex truths of our industrial heritage.

Join them at the 2026 MHA conference, "Revolutionizing History: Small but Mighty."

Conference registration is open now. Register today to receive the early bird rate! 

2026 Mass History Alliance Conference Registration | Massachusetts History Alliance

Image used was Published by The Springfield News Company Tichnor Bros. Inc., Boston, Mass.From the Boston Public Library, Digital Commonwealth