As Historic New England celebrates its 115th anniversary, we are taking a fresh look at our history and the legacy of our founder, William Sumner Appleton. A key figure in the early preservation movement, Appleton’s contributions—as well as aspects of our history that merit deeper reflection—are part of an ongoing effort to present our story with nuance, accuracy, and inclusivity, in line with broader conversations among cultural institutions and preservation organizations.
We are also revisiting past Historic New England magazine articles that have examined our institutional history, including engaging and carefully-researched features from our centennial year that informed our current work. In the decade-and-a-half since those articles appeared, historians have approached the past with new questions, shaped by emerging research, broader perspectives, and a deeper understanding of historical complexities—the same work that is central to Recovering New England’s Voices, our flagship research initiative. By sharing these earlier reflections alongside new insights, we aim to foster a more nuanced and meaningful discussion about our history and its impact.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore and share the history that shapes us.
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