Adams papers editorial project [the adams papers editorial project at the massachusetts historical society (MHS) is the authoritative scholarly edition of the diaries, letters, official records,…

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the Massachusetts Historical Society $3 million on January 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Research program (CFDA 45.161) to advance the Adams Papers Editorial Project.

The Adams Papers Editorial Project produces authoritative scholarly editions of diaries, letters, official records, public writings, and literary materials created by three generations of the Adams family of Massachusetts—including Abigail Adams, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Charles Francis Adams, and their families. The project publishes these materials across multiple series, with 53 volumes currently available online, along with the John Quincy Adams Digital Diary. Editors focus on the founding generation's efforts to establish and maintain the American Union, drawing from the Adams Family Papers collection at the Massachusetts Historical Society and supplemented by Adams manuscripts held in other archives. The project documents American life between the American Revolution and the Civil War and makes primary source materials freely accessible to scholars, educators, and the general public.

Performance occurs in Massachusetts with a period of performance from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. The Massachusetts Historical Society, a tax-exempt nonprofit headquartered in Boston, has received continuous NEH support for this project since 2004 and serves as the steward of this long-standing scholarly endeavor.

Adams papers editorial project [the adams papers editorial project at the massachusetts historical society (MHS) is the authoritative scholarly edition of the diaries, letters, official records, public writings, and literary miscellanies written by three generations of the adams family of massachusetts, including abigail adams, john adams, john quincy adams, charles francis adams, and their families. Based on the adams family papers collection at the MHS and supplemented by adams manuscripts in other archives, this family record charts the changes that transformed american life between the american revolution and the civil war. Since 1961, the project has published 60 volumes in four series, with 53 freely available online, along with the john quincy adams digital diary. Editors currently focus on the founding generation's efforts to establish and maintain the american union. The adams papers has received steady NEH support since 2004; we seek continued funding to make this unparalleled resource accessible to all.]