BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Congregational Library &amp; Archives - ECPv6.17.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://congregationallibrary.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Congregational Library &amp; Archives
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T140000
DTSTAMP:20260618T091822Z
CREATED:20260408T083022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T091822Z
UID:14627-1778072400-1778076000@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Illuminating Your Church’s Past: Guidelines and Ethics for Conducting Oral Histories
DESCRIPTION:Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy\, CLA archivists\, hosted this CSI webinar focused on properly conducting oral history interviews – a great way for a church to learn about its own community\, mission\, and history through conversations with the members who lived through it. \nOral histories can be especially useful for churches with gaps in their 20th and 21st century records. But it is critical to follow strict rules and procedures to ensure they are conducted ethically and respectfully. \nZachary and Billy discussed situations in which oral histories are a useful tool and other cases when they might be less enlightening. They also provided advice for conducting an ethical oral history interview\, including discussions on copyright\, consent\, and agreement forms. Finally\, they shared some best practices\, recommended technologies\, and guidelines for recording oral histories. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/illuminating-your-churchs-past
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IlluminatingChurchPastCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T140000
DTSTAMP:20260629T083819Z
CREATED:20260423T135247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T083819Z
UID:14928-1779195600-1779199200@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Witness at Sand Creek: The Life and Letters of Silas Soule
DESCRIPTION:What compels an ordinary person to stand against atrocity? Rev. Dr. Nancy Niero captures the soul of a man who bore witness to genocide and chose to speak out in her new book\, Witness at Sand Creek: The Life and Letters of Silas Soule. \nThis powerful volume brings to life the story of Captain Silas Soule\, a young abolitionist turned Union officer raised in a Congregational family who refused to obey orders during the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Rather than participate in the slaughter of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho families\, Soule defied his superiors and later testified to what happened. His act of conscience would make him a target: he was assassinated just months later. \nPart biography\, part spiritual journey\, Witness at Sand Creek blends historical detail with personal pilgrimage\, offering readers both rare primary sources and a contemporary call to moral clarity. From Soule’s early abolitionist work alongside John Brown to his final days as a whistleblower\, this book is a profound meditation on history\, integrity\, and the price of truth. \n  \nSPEAKER BIO \nRev. Dr. Nancy Niero graduated with her Doctor of Ministry degree in May 2023 from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa\, Oklahoma and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. She has had a 15-year career in hospice and hospital chaplaincy-bereavement and created grief work as an important companion with racial justice work. Prior to her call to ministry\, she was a historic preservationist and journalist. Rev. Dr. Niero lives on the ancestral land of the Squaxin Island people\, People of the Water\, who lived along the shores and watersheds of the seven southernmost inlets of the Salish Sea\, near what is known today as the Puget Sound in Washington.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/witness-at-sand-creek
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Diverse Voices
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SandCreekCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T130000
DTSTAMP:20260525T082509Z
CREATED:20260327T110852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T082509Z
UID:14567-1779451200-1779454800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Congregationalism in Asia Collections Tour
DESCRIPTION:CLA Archivist Billy McCarthy led this tour that explored the role 14 Beacon Street played in nineteenth-century mission work in Asia. \nThe American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM)\, a missionary organization founded in 1810\, was located at 14 Beacon Street during the nineteenth century. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives collections include many items related to missionary work in Asia\, especially in places like Japan\, China\, and India. This tour included a variety of material like scrapbooks\, pamphlets\, letters\, and more from this fascinating aspect of Congregational history. \nHeld in the CLA’s historic reading room at 14 Beacon Street\, these monthly collection tours connected residents of Beacon Hill and the greater Boston region with original\, rarely seen materials in the CLA’s collections. \nThis event began with a short talk by Billy McCarthy\, followed by plenty of time for browsing items from our collections and asking questions. \nThanks to the generosity of the Beacon Hill Civic Association\, these programs were offered completely free of charge to the public.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/congregationalism-asia-collections-tour
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Congregational Story,Diverse Voices,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/May26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T140000
DTSTAMP:20260630T102734Z
CREATED:20260428T030952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T102734Z
UID:14980-1779886800-1779890400@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Reluctant Revolutionary: The Life and Legacy of Pastor Andrew Eliot (1718–1778) of Boston
DESCRIPTION:Andrew Eliot (1718-1778) was one of the most prominent Boston leaders in the second half of the eighteenth century. As minister of one of the city’s largest Congregational churches\, his was an important political as well as religious voice into the earliest years of the American War for Independence. But Eliot has often been neglected or misunderstood. \nThis virtual program featured a talk by John S. Oakes\, who has published a revealing new biography of Eliot. Oakes draws on multiple sources to offer a fresh portrait of the Boston minister as: a moderate but orthodox Calvinist who maintained a consistent witness at a time of theological turmoil; a prosperous family man who helped the lay the foundations for future generations of Eliots among the Boston “Brahmin”; a “reluctant revolutionary” whose devotion to Protestant British ideals prevented him from embracing the patriot cause in the War for Independence until hostilities were already under way; and a dedicated pastor who was one of very few ministers to choose to endure the hardships of Boston under British occupation. \nA cautious and irenic leader\, Eliot also provides an outstanding example of a leader who maintained his personal integrity and a wide network of diverse connections\, despite ministering in a highly polarized intellectual and political climate. \n  \nSPEAKER BIO \nDr. John S. Oakes\, is a research fellow of Wycliffe College\, Toronto. He is author of Conservative Revolutionaries: Transformation and Tradition in the Religious and Political Thought of Charles Chauncy and Jonathan Mayhew (Pickwick\, 2016).
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/reluctant-revolutionary
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ReluctantRevCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T140000
DTSTAMP:20260604T092751Z
CREATED:20260513T121300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T092751Z
UID:15107-1780491600-1780495200@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship
DESCRIPTION:For over forty years\, the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship has promoted fellowship and cooperative endeavor in the faith\, polity\, and work of evangelical Congregational associations and churches throughout the world. \nFrom an initial meeting with representatives from Australia\, Ireland\, Portugal\, and the United States\, the WECF has now grown to encompass nineteen associations in North and South America\, Europe\, and Asia. The organization meets every three years\, with the next meeting in Argentina in October 2026. \nThis program discussed the growth and work of this organization\, the historical roots of evangelicalism within the Congregational tradition\, and what is happening today around the world with WECF President Rev. Dr. Ron Hamilton\, Secretary Rev. Dr. Steve Gammon\, and Rev. Nick Granitsas. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nRev. Dr. Ronald E. Hamilton was the CCCC Conference Minister 2012-2025 and previously worked as the Director of Church Multiplication from 2007 – 2012. He was founding pastor of the Woodbury Community Church in Woodbury\, MN where he served for nearly thirty years. He is deeply committed to the development of healthy congregations with a commitment to missional ministry. \nRev. Dr. Stephen A. Gammon\, a third-generation pastor\, holds degrees from Barrington College\, Bethel Theological Seminary\, and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a local church pastor in New England\, was a U.S. Navy Chaplain for 27 years\, and was Conference Minister of the CCCC from 2003-2011. He has also spent 20 years on the leadership team of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship. He has authored four books\, all with Aneko Press. Married to Helen for 50 years\, they have been blessed with three children and four grandchildren. \nRev. Nicholas Granitsas is pastor emeritus of the First Congregational Church\, Revere\, where he served for 46 years. He has served in various leadership capacities in the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC)\, including four years as national president\, and an adjunct faculty member of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary from 1980-2017\, teaching the denominational standards course for the CCCC. He is currently serving as an Area Pastor (20 churches and 50 ministerial members) in addition to many roles in community organizations.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/standing-shoulders-giants
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Congregational Story,Contemporary Congregationalism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ShouldersGiantsCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260611T140000
DTSTAMP:20260612T122124Z
CREATED:20260425T014004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T122124Z
UID:14941-1781182800-1781186400@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:CSI Summer Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the first of five class sessions. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives was pleased to host our second annual CSI Summer Camp. \nArchivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy led attendees through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program\, hosted on Zoom\, provided guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations. \nOver the course of five sessions\, Zachary and Billy provided hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there were exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforced lessons and set up participants for the next session. Sessions included time for instructions\, group discussions\, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection\, identifying materials\, organizing records\, and crafting finding aids. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/csi-summer-camp-2026
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSISummerCamp26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T140000
DTSTAMP:20260618T092013Z
CREATED:20260425T011535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T092013Z
UID:14932-1781690400-1781704800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Voices from the Past: Working with Records from the New England’s Hidden Histories Project
DESCRIPTION:Are you a church historian\, researching your family history\, or just interested in early New England Congregational history (1620-1820) and what it can reveal about the past? \nParticipants learned: \n\nhow to use the New England’s Hidden Histories digital archive and other resources at the CLA\,\nwhat different types of records are created by churches\,\nhow to use church records to research family history\,\nhow to find marginalized voices in church records\, and\nhow to connect information from church records to other historical resources.\n\nThe workshop was led by Dr. Tricia Peone\, New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director. New England’s Hidden Histories is a digital project of the Congregational Library & Archives that digitizes\, transcribes\, and provides access to early New England Congregational church records. \n  \nSPEAKER BIO \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/voices-from-the-past-26
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:NEHH,Public Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/VoicesPast26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T140000
DTSTAMP:20260622T084320Z
CREATED:20260521T193425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T084320Z
UID:15137-1781874000-1781877600@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:New Light on James W.C. Pennington
DESCRIPTION:Our 2026 Juneteenth Lecture rediscovered James W.C. Pennington (1808-1870)\, a truly remarkable figure of Black religious and political history who has been unjustly overlooked in contemporary scholarship. During the antebellum period\, Pennington was an internationally-recognized figure and important “race leader\,” often compared to Frederick Douglass. He was Yale Divinity School’s first (unofficial) Black student\, and his intellectual achievement took him to Europe\, where he published a bestselling slave narrative and received an honorary Doctorate from Heidelberg University. His writings\, lectures\, and involvement with various abolitionist organizations as well as the Underground Railroad make him one of the forgotten African American architects of the antislavery movement. \nDrs. Jan Stievermann and Caitlin Smith talked about two recent volumes on Pennington that they have co-edited for Oxford University Press. The first\, The Fugitive Blacksmith and Other Essential Writings by James W.C. Pennington\, is an anthology that\, for the first time\, makes Pennington’s writings available in a critical edition\, including his autobiography. The second\, James W.C. Pennington: Essays Toward Rediscovering a Great African American Intellectual and Reformer\, gathers new research on Pennington’s life\, work\, and thought from leading scholars across various disciplines. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Jan Stievermann is a Professor of the History of Christianity in the US at Heidelberg University. He has written books and essays on a broad range of topics in the fields of American religious history\, culture\, and literature\, including a comprehensive study of the theology and aesthetics of Ralph Waldo Emerson (in German; Schoeningh 2007) and Prophecy\, Piety\, and the Problem of Historicity: Interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures in Cotton Mather’s Biblia Americana (Mohr Siebeck\, 2016). In the scholarly edition of the Biblia Americana manuscript\, he is responsible for volumes 5\, 10\, and 7 (2015; 2023; forthcoming in 2026)\, and serves as the executive editor of the whole project. His articles have been published in leading journals\, including William and Mary\, Early American Literature\, Church History\, and Religion and American Culture. \nDr. Caitlin Smith is an Assistant Professor of Early American Literature at St. Bonaventure University. Her research focuses on religion\, race\, and skepticism in nineteenth-century American literature. Along with Jan Stievermann and Eddie Glaude\, she co-edited the works of James W.C. Pennington\, and has published in ESQ\, Leviathan\, and two critical companions to Herman Melville.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/new-light-on-pennington
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Book Talks,Congregational Story,Diverse Voices
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PenningtonCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T140000
DTSTAMP:20260612T122217Z
CREATED:20260425T014323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T122217Z
UID:14944-1782392400-1782396000@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:CSI Summer Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the second of five class sessions. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives was pleased to host our second annual CSI Summer Camp. \nArchivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy led attendees through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program\, hosted on Zoom\, provided guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations. \nOver the course of five sessions\, Zachary and Billy provided hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there were exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforced lessons and set up participants for the next session. Sessions included time for instructions\, group discussions\, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection\, identifying materials\, organizing records\, and crafting finding aids. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/csi-summer-camp-26-2
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSISummerCamp26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T094833Z
CREATED:20260413T092431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T094833Z
UID:14794-1782471600-1782489600@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: June 26th Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-june26-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T130000
DTSTAMP:20260629T090915Z
CREATED:20260327T111524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T090915Z
UID:14570-1782475200-1782478800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Maritime Collections Tour
DESCRIPTION:CLA Archivist Zachary Bodnar led this tour exploring tales of those who left Boston by sea. \nBoston’s maritime history is long and rich\, and the Congregational Library & Archives’ collections speak to this unique Boston story. This tour will feature diaries\, newspaper articles\, and other firsthand accounts of voyages by sea from those departing Boston to distant lands in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From the journals of missionaries departing Boston for Turkey\, to images of the Morning Star\, a Boston-built ship destined for Hawai’i\, this tour is sure to captivate all who look towards the sea with awe. \nHeld in the CLA’s historic reading room at 14 Beacon Street\, these monthly collection tours connected residents of Beacon Hill and the greater Boston region with original\, rarely seen materials in the CLA’s collections. \nThis event ran from 12 to 1 pm and began with a short talk by Zachary Bodnar\, followed by plenty of time for browsing items from our collections and asking questions. \nThanks to the generosity of the Beacon Hill Civic Association\, these programs were offered completely free of charge to the public.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/maritime-collections-tour
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Congregational Story,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/June26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T141500
DTSTAMP:20260630T083500Z
CREATED:20260425T020136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T083500Z
UID:14952-1782824400-1782828900@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Researching the Revolution Using New England’s Hidden Histories 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the first of five class sessions. \nIn this five-week online class\, participants learned about the history of Congregationalists in the American Revolution through the different types of primary source materials in New England’s Hidden Histories. They explored how sermons\, church records\, and personal papers reveal first-hand accounts and the ways communities responded before\, during\, and after the war for independence. \nThe class was led by Dr. Kyle Roberts (CLA Executive Director) and Dr. Tricia Peone (NEHH Project Director). Course topics included: an introduction to researching with church records on a digital platform\, overviews of the American Revolution and Congregational history\, and ways to uncover the histories of marginalized New Englanders. Each week we discussed and interpreted primary source documents and learned about religious life during the Revolutionary era. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Kyle Roberts was appointed the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in 2022. He received his BA in American Studies from Williams College and his PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to the CLA\, he was Associate Director of Library & Museum Programming at the American Philosophical Society and Associate Professor of Public History and New Media and Director of the Center for Textual Studies and Digital Humanities at Loyola University Chicago. \nA scholar of Atlantic World religion\, print\, and library history\, he is the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City\, 1783-1860 (Chicago\, 2016)\, the co-editor\, with Stephen Schloesser\, of Crossings and Dwellings: Restored Jesuits\, Women Religious\, American Experience 1814-2014 (Brill\, 2017) and\, with Mark Towsey\, of Before the Public Library: Reading\, Community\, and Identity in the Atlantic World\, 1650-1850 (Brill\, 2017). \nKyle is an accomplished public historian and digital humanist whose collaborative projects include the Jesuit Libraries Provenance Project\, the Maryland Loyalism Project\, and Dissenting Academies Online: Virtual Library System. In addition to being the consultant for numerous digital and public history projects\, he sits on the executive committees of the American Catholic Historical Association\, the New England Historical Association\, the Urban History Association He is on the editorial and advisory boards for American Catholic Studies\, Early American Studies\, and portal. \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/researching-revolution-26-1
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ResearchRev26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260701T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260701T140000
DTSTAMP:20260525T142314Z
CREATED:20260525T142314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T142314Z
UID:15148-1782910800-1782914400@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sermons of Independence: A Virtual Collections Tour
DESCRIPTION:Join Dr. Tricia Peone\, New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director\, for a virtual tour exploring sermons from the Revolutionary era. \nCommemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a tour of sermons and other materials from that era. Print and manuscript sermons illustrate how Congregationalists explored and defined the meaning of liberty while navigating the violence and destruction of war. The tour will also investigate how Congregational Library & Archives’ collections reveal the ways Congregational ministers interpreted their own role in shaping memory of the Revolution. \nThis event is free and open to all\, but registration is required via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5417796991338/WN_AO4ZMZtMQgi37IrWiCfzmw \nAfter registering\, you will receive an email with information about attending the webinar. \nEmail any questions to programs@14beacon.org. \n  \nSPEAKER BIO \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. She previously worked at Historic New England\, where she was a research scholar for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sermons-independence-virtual
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Congregational Story,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SermonsIndependenceCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T094921Z
CREATED:20260413T092758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T094921Z
UID:14797-1782990000-1783008000@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: July 2nd Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-july2-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260702T140000
DTSTAMP:20260413T085341Z
CREATED:20260413T084752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T085341Z
UID:14753-1782997200-1783000800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion Curator's Tour (July 2nd)
DESCRIPTION:Join us at 14 Beacon for a special tour of Sacred Rebellion with CLA Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts. \nThe exhibition features many treasures from the CLA’s collections: sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters created by Massachusetts Congregationalists during and after the American Revolution. These objects reveal how Congregationalists understood their moral obligations to each other and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. \nAttendees will view the exhibition with Dr. Roberts\, learn more about the objects on display\, and gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the exhibition. The discussion will also explore the unfinished business of the Revolution and the meaning of its legacy today. \nSpace is limited. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased via this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/2026CuratorTours.html
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-curator-tour-july2
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCuratorCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T141500
DTSTAMP:20260428T004944Z
CREATED:20260425T020507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T004944Z
UID:14955-1783429200-1783433700@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Researching the Revolution Using New England’s Hidden Histories 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is the second of five class sessions. \nJoin us this summer to explore the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. In this five-week online class\, participants will learn about the history of Congregationalists in the American Revolution through the different types of primary source materials in New England’s Hidden Histories. Explore how sermons\, church records\, and personal papers reveal first-hand accounts and the ways communities responded before\, during\, and after the war for independence. \nThe class will be led by Dr. Kyle Roberts (CLA Executive Director) and Dr. Tricia Peone (NEHH Project Director). Course topics will include: an introduction to researching with church records on a digital platform\, overviews of the American Revolution and Congregational history\, and ways to uncover the histories of marginalized New Englanders. Each week we will discuss and interpret primary source documents and learn about religious life during the Revolutionary era. \nThe cost to attend is $150 for individual and church members and $165 for non-members. Limited funds are available as scholarships for those otherwise unable to attend. \nTo attend\, register by Friday\, June 26th at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/26SummerClasses.html. \nAfter registering\, you will receive an email with information about attending the class. \nEmail any questions to programs@14beacon.org. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Kyle Roberts was appointed the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in 2022. He received his BA in American Studies from Williams College and his PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to the CLA\, he was Associate Director of Library & Museum Programming at the American Philosophical Society and Associate Professor of Public History and New Media and Director of the Center for Textual Studies and Digital Humanities at Loyola University Chicago. \nA scholar of Atlantic World religion\, print\, and library history\, he is the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City\, 1783-1860 (Chicago\, 2016)\, the co-editor\, with Stephen Schloesser\, of Crossings and Dwellings: Restored Jesuits\, Women Religious\, American Experience 1814-2014 (Brill\, 2017) and\, with Mark Towsey\, of Before the Public Library: Reading\, Community\, and Identity in the Atlantic World\, 1650-1850 (Brill\, 2017). \nKyle is an accomplished public historian and digital humanist whose collaborative projects include the Jesuit Libraries Provenance Project\, the Maryland Loyalism Project\, and Dissenting Academies Online: Virtual Library System. In addition to being the consultant for numerous digital and public history projects\, he sits on the executive committees of the American Catholic Historical Association\, the New England Historical Association\, the Urban History Association He is on the editorial and advisory boards for American Catholic Studies\, Early American Studies\, and portal. \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/researching-revolution-26-2
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ResearchRev26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T140000
DTSTAMP:20260612T122302Z
CREATED:20260425T014623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T122302Z
UID:14946-1783602000-1783605600@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:CSI Summer Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the third of five class sessions. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives was pleased to host our second annual CSI Summer Camp. \nArchivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy led attendees through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program\, hosted on Zoom\, provided guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations. \nOver the course of five sessions\, Zachary and Billy provided hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there were exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforced lessons and set up participants for the next session. Sessions included time for instructions\, group discussions\, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection\, identifying materials\, organizing records\, and crafting finding aids. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/csi-summer-camp-26-3
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSISummerCamp26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T095018Z
CREATED:20260413T093054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T095018Z
UID:14799-1783681200-1783699200@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: July 10th Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-july10-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T140000
DTSTAMP:20260413T085319Z
CREATED:20260413T085208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T085319Z
UID:14759-1783688400-1783692000@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion Curator's Tour (July 10th)
DESCRIPTION:Join us at 14 Beacon for a special tour of Sacred Rebellion with New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and exhibition curator\, Dr. Tricia Peone. \nThe exhibition features many treasures from the CLA’s collections: sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters created by Massachusetts Congregationalists during and after the American Revolution. These objects reveal how Congregationalists understood their moral obligations to each other and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. \nAttendees will view the exhibition with the curator\, learn more about the objects on display\, and gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the exhibition. The discussion will also explore the unfinished business of the Revolution and the meaning of its legacy today. \nSpace is limited. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased via this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/2026CuratorTours.html
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-curator-tour-july10
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCuratorCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T141500
DTSTAMP:20260428T005038Z
CREATED:20260425T020850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T005038Z
UID:14957-1784034000-1784038500@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Researching the Revolution Using New England’s Hidden Histories 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is the third of five class sessions. \nJoin us this summer to explore the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. In this five-week online class\, participants will learn about the history of Congregationalists in the American Revolution through the different types of primary source materials in New England’s Hidden Histories. Explore how sermons\, church records\, and personal papers reveal first-hand accounts and the ways communities responded before\, during\, and after the war for independence. \nThe class will be led by Dr. Kyle Roberts (CLA Executive Director) and Dr. Tricia Peone (NEHH Project Director). Course topics will include: an introduction to researching with church records on a digital platform\, overviews of the American Revolution and Congregational history\, and ways to uncover the histories of marginalized New Englanders. Each week we will discuss and interpret primary source documents and learn about religious life during the Revolutionary era. \nThe cost to attend is $150 for individual and church members and $165 for non-members. Limited funds are available as scholarships for those otherwise unable to attend. \nTo attend\, register by Friday\, June 26th at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/26SummerClasses.html. \nAfter registering\, you will receive an email with information about attending the class. \nEmail any questions to programs@14beacon.org. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Kyle Roberts was appointed the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in 2022. He received his BA in American Studies from Williams College and his PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to the CLA\, he was Associate Director of Library & Museum Programming at the American Philosophical Society and Associate Professor of Public History and New Media and Director of the Center for Textual Studies and Digital Humanities at Loyola University Chicago. \nA scholar of Atlantic World religion\, print\, and library history\, he is the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City\, 1783-1860 (Chicago\, 2016)\, the co-editor\, with Stephen Schloesser\, of Crossings and Dwellings: Restored Jesuits\, Women Religious\, American Experience 1814-2014 (Brill\, 2017) and\, with Mark Towsey\, of Before the Public Library: Reading\, Community\, and Identity in the Atlantic World\, 1650-1850 (Brill\, 2017). \nKyle is an accomplished public historian and digital humanist whose collaborative projects include the Jesuit Libraries Provenance Project\, the Maryland Loyalism Project\, and Dissenting Academies Online: Virtual Library System. In addition to being the consultant for numerous digital and public history projects\, he sits on the executive committees of the American Catholic Historical Association\, the New England Historical Association\, the Urban History Association He is on the editorial and advisory boards for American Catholic Studies\, Early American Studies\, and portal. \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/researching-revolution-26-3
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ResearchRev26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T095054Z
CREATED:20260413T093350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T095054Z
UID:14802-1784286000-1784304000@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: July 17th Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-july17-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260717T130000
DTSTAMP:20260327T112941Z
CREATED:20260327T112317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260327T112941Z
UID:14573-1784289600-1784293200@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sermons of Independence Collections Tour
DESCRIPTION:Join Dr. Tricia Peone\, New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director\, at 14 Beacon for a tour exploring sermons from the Revolutionary era. \nCommemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a tour exploring sermons and other materials from that era. Print and manuscript sermons illustrate how Congregationalists explored and defined the meaning of liberty while navigating the violence and destruction of war. The Congregational Library & Archives collections also reveal how Congregational ministers interpreted their own role in shaping memory of the Revolution. \nHeld in the CLA’s historic reading room at 14 Beacon Street\, these monthly collection tours connect residents of Beacon Hill and the greater Boston region with original\, rarely seen materials in the CLA’s collections. \nThis event will run from 12 to 1 pm and will begin with a short talk by Tricia Peone\, followed by plenty of time for browsing items from our collections and asking questions. \nThanks to the generosity of the Beacon Hill Civic Association\, these programs are offered completely free of charge to the public. Reservations via Eventbrite are appreciated but not required.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sermons-independence-collections-tour
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/July26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T141500
DTSTAMP:20260428T005135Z
CREATED:20260425T021205Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T005135Z
UID:14959-1784638800-1784643300@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Researching the Revolution Using New England’s Hidden Histories 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is the fourth of five class sessions. \nJoin us this summer to explore the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. In this five-week online class\, participants will learn about the history of Congregationalists in the American Revolution through the different types of primary source materials in New England’s Hidden Histories. Explore how sermons\, church records\, and personal papers reveal first-hand accounts and the ways communities responded before\, during\, and after the war for independence. \nThe class will be led by Dr. Kyle Roberts (CLA Executive Director) and Dr. Tricia Peone (NEHH Project Director). Course topics will include: an introduction to researching with church records on a digital platform\, overviews of the American Revolution and Congregational history\, and ways to uncover the histories of marginalized New Englanders. Each week we will discuss and interpret primary source documents and learn about religious life during the Revolutionary era. \nThe cost to attend is $150 for individual and church members and $165 for non-members. Limited funds are available as scholarships for those otherwise unable to attend. \nTo attend\, register by Friday\, June 26th at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/26SummerClasses.html. \nAfter registering\, you will receive an email with information about attending the class. \nEmail any questions to programs@14beacon.org. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Kyle Roberts was appointed the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in 2022. He received his BA in American Studies from Williams College and his PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to the CLA\, he was Associate Director of Library & Museum Programming at the American Philosophical Society and Associate Professor of Public History and New Media and Director of the Center for Textual Studies and Digital Humanities at Loyola University Chicago. \nA scholar of Atlantic World religion\, print\, and library history\, he is the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City\, 1783-1860 (Chicago\, 2016)\, the co-editor\, with Stephen Schloesser\, of Crossings and Dwellings: Restored Jesuits\, Women Religious\, American Experience 1814-2014 (Brill\, 2017) and\, with Mark Towsey\, of Before the Public Library: Reading\, Community\, and Identity in the Atlantic World\, 1650-1850 (Brill\, 2017). \nKyle is an accomplished public historian and digital humanist whose collaborative projects include the Jesuit Libraries Provenance Project\, the Maryland Loyalism Project\, and Dissenting Academies Online: Virtual Library System. In addition to being the consultant for numerous digital and public history projects\, he sits on the executive committees of the American Catholic Historical Association\, the New England Historical Association\, the Urban History Association He is on the editorial and advisory boards for American Catholic Studies\, Early American Studies\, and portal. \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/researching-revolution-26-4
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ResearchRev26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T140000
DTSTAMP:20260612T122340Z
CREATED:20260425T014850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T122340Z
UID:14948-1784811600-1784815200@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:CSI Summer Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the fourth of five class sessions. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives was pleased to host our second annual CSI Summer Camp. \nArchivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy led attendees through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program\, hosted on Zoom\, provided guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations. \nOver the course of five sessions\, Zachary and Billy provided hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there were exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforced lessons and set up participants for the next session. Sessions included time for instructions\, group discussions\, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection\, identifying materials\, organizing records\, and crafting finding aids. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/csi-summer-camp-26-4
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSISummerCamp26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T095139Z
CREATED:20260413T093744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T095139Z
UID:14804-1784890800-1784908800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: July 24th Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-july24-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260724T140000
DTSTAMP:20260413T085741Z
CREATED:20260413T085741Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T085741Z
UID:14766-1784898000-1784901600@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion Curator's Tour (July 24th)
DESCRIPTION:Join us at 14 Beacon for a special tour of Sacred Rebellion with CLA Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts. \nThe exhibition features many treasures from the CLA’s collections: sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters created by Massachusetts Congregationalists during and after the American Revolution. These objects reveal how Congregationalists understood their moral obligations to each other and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. \nAttendees will view the exhibition with Dr. Roberts\, learn more about the objects on display\, and gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the exhibition. The discussion will also explore the unfinished business of the Revolution and the meaning of its legacy today. \nSpace is limited. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased via this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/2026CuratorTours.html
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-curator-tour-july24
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCuratorCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260728T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260728T141500
DTSTAMP:20260428T005228Z
CREATED:20260425T021505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T005228Z
UID:14961-1785243600-1785248100@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Researching the Revolution Using New England’s Hidden Histories 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is the last of five class sessions. \nJoin us this summer to explore the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. In this five-week online class\, participants will learn about the history of Congregationalists in the American Revolution through the different types of primary source materials in New England’s Hidden Histories. Explore how sermons\, church records\, and personal papers reveal first-hand accounts and the ways communities responded before\, during\, and after the war for independence. \nThe class will be led by Dr. Kyle Roberts (CLA Executive Director) and Dr. Tricia Peone (NEHH Project Director). Course topics will include: an introduction to researching with church records on a digital platform\, overviews of the American Revolution and Congregational history\, and ways to uncover the histories of marginalized New Englanders. Each week we will discuss and interpret primary source documents and learn about religious life during the Revolutionary era. \nThe cost to attend is $150 for individual and church members and $165 for non-members. Limited funds are available as scholarships for those otherwise unable to attend. \nTo attend\, register by Friday\, June 26th at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/26SummerClasses.html. \nAfter registering\, you will receive an email with information about attending the class. \nEmail any questions to programs@14beacon.org. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nDr. Kyle Roberts was appointed the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in 2022. He received his BA in American Studies from Williams College and his PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to the CLA\, he was Associate Director of Library & Museum Programming at the American Philosophical Society and Associate Professor of Public History and New Media and Director of the Center for Textual Studies and Digital Humanities at Loyola University Chicago. \nA scholar of Atlantic World religion\, print\, and library history\, he is the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City\, 1783-1860 (Chicago\, 2016)\, the co-editor\, with Stephen Schloesser\, of Crossings and Dwellings: Restored Jesuits\, Women Religious\, American Experience 1814-2014 (Brill\, 2017) and\, with Mark Towsey\, of Before the Public Library: Reading\, Community\, and Identity in the Atlantic World\, 1650-1850 (Brill\, 2017). \nKyle is an accomplished public historian and digital humanist whose collaborative projects include the Jesuit Libraries Provenance Project\, the Maryland Loyalism Project\, and Dissenting Academies Online: Virtual Library System. In addition to being the consultant for numerous digital and public history projects\, he sits on the executive committees of the American Catholic Historical Association\, the New England Historical Association\, the Urban History Association He is on the editorial and advisory boards for American Catholic Studies\, Early American Studies\, and portal. \nDr. Tricia Peone joined the CLA in 2022 as the Project Director for New England’s Hidden Histories. Prior to joining the CLA\, she was a research scholar at Historic New England for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities\, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials\, early New England\, and public history\, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early New England\, particularly the history of magic and witchcraft\, and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals\, books\, blogs\, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/researching-revolution-26-5
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,NEHH,Revolutionary Stories
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ResearchRev26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T160000
DTSTAMP:20260413T095209Z
CREATED:20260413T094044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T095209Z
UID:14806-1785495600-1785513600@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion: July 31st Open Day
DESCRIPTION:This summer marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. Due to popular demand\, we will be reopening our in-person exhibition\, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts for eight days in June\, July\, and August for free\, walk-in viewing. \nSacred Rebellion highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. We hope you will make plans to visit and learn more about the connections between Congregationalism and the American Revolution. \nBy the time the war began\, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified\, sacred rebellion. Through sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters\, Congregationalists shared their stories\, reflected on their moral obligations to each other\, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive\, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many\, especially those on the margins. These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today\, 250 years later. \nHighlights from the exhibition include items connected to well-known Massachusetts historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley Peters\, Jonathan Mayhew\, and Benjamin Franklin\, as well as materials from many lesser-known individuals such as Mary Counce\, whose papers provide a rare look at a woman’s experiences living in Boston during the Revolutionary War\, and a one-of-a-kind manuscript music book featuring hymns and patriotic songs created by a young woman named Abigail Cleaveland. \nSacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts will be open to the public at the Congregational Library & Archives from 11 am – 4 pm on June 26\, July 2\, July 10\, July 17\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, August 14. Admission is free\, and booking is required for groups of 10 or more. \nAdditionally\, Curator’s Tours will be available at 1 pm on July 2\, July 10\, July 24\, July 31\, August 7\, and August 14\, and tickets can be purchased for $5. \nFind more information on the exhibition and related events at congregationallibrary.org/sacred-rebellion. \n  \nThe Congregational Library & Archives is located at 14 Beacon Street\, Boston on the second floor. It is a short walk from the Park Street\, State\, and Government Center subway stops. Elevators are available in the lobby. The exhibition and reading room are wheelchair accessible. Find more information about planning your visit at congregationallibrary.org/visit. \nBook an appointment for a group tour by emailing info@14beacon.org or calling 617.523.0470 x102.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-july31-open-day
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCarousel-NEW400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T140000
DTSTAMP:20260413T090107Z
CREATED:20260413T090107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T090107Z
UID:14771-1785502800-1785506400@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:Sacred Rebellion Curator's Tour (July 31st)
DESCRIPTION:Join us at 14 Beacon for a special tour of Sacred Rebellion with New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and exhibition curator\, Dr. Tricia Peone. \nThe exhibition features many treasures from the CLA’s collections: sermons\, books\, poems\, songs\, and letters created by Massachusetts Congregationalists during and after the American Revolution. These objects reveal how Congregationalists understood their moral obligations to each other and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. \nAttendees will view the exhibition with the curator\, learn more about the objects on display\, and gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the exhibition. The discussion will also explore the unfinished business of the Revolution and the meaning of its legacy today. \nSpace is limited. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased via this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/2026CuratorTours.html
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/sacred-rebellion-curator-tour-july31
LOCATION:Congregational Library & Archives\, 14 Beacon Street\, Boston\, MA\, 02108\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Sacred Rebellion,Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SRCuratorCarousel400.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T140000
DTSTAMP:20260612T122418Z
CREATED:20260425T015158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T122418Z
UID:14950-1786021200-1786024800@congregationallibrary.org
SUMMARY:CSI Summer Camp 2026
DESCRIPTION:This was the last of five class sessions. \nThe Congregational Library & Archives was pleased to host our second annual CSI Summer Camp. \nArchivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy led attendees through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program\, hosted on Zoom\, provided guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations. \nOver the course of five sessions\, Zachary and Billy provided hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there were exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforced lessons and set up participants for the next session. Sessions included time for instructions\, group discussions\, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection\, identifying materials\, organizing records\, and crafting finding aids. \nThis program was part of our Church Stewardship Initiative (CSI). Find the videos of past workshops and free resources on our CSI webpage. \n  \nSPEAKER BIOS \nZachary Bodnar graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science from Simmons University\, with a concentration in archives management\, in 2018. Prior to his work at the CLA\, Zachary worked at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden archive\, the Vassar College Special Collections\, the Harvard Law School Library\, and the Harvard Botany Libraries. Zachary joined the CLA as an Archives Assistant in 2017\, helping to prepare materials for digitization through the New England’s Hidden Histories program. In 2018\, he took on the title of Archivist. His professional interests include metadata collection and management\, digital archiving\, audio/visual preservation\, and archives management. \nBilly McCarthy graduated with a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Simmons University with a concentration in Archival Management. He started working at the CLA through a graduate internship and was hired full-time as an Archivist in 2018. Billy is the Head of Reader Services\, helping the CLA’s visitors with reference requests and facilitating in-person research. Billy also serves as the collection manager for the archives\, working with CLA’s offsite vendor to protect and maintain the organization’s archival records. Some of his professional interests include increasing access\, collection management\, processing of complex materials\, and facilitating research.
URL:https://congregationallibrary.org/events/csi-summer-camp-26-5
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Class,CSI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://congregationallibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CSISummerCamp26Carousel400.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR