The Handel and Haydn Society Archives

The purpose of the Handel and Haydn Society Archives is to collect, preserve and make available the records, material, and artifacts which document the 200-year history and the official activities of the Handel and Haydn Society (H+H). The H+H Archives collects the business, legal, and administrative records; records of rehearsals and concerts (such as programs, reviews, scrapbooks, posters, and related ephemera); images and audio recordings. The Archives aims to gather an authentic record of H+H’s activities and to oversee the management of the collection.

DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTIONS

Scrapbooks Collection

The scrapbooks collection consists of scrapbooks arranged by performance season (ca 1830 – present). Many of these scrapbooks (1834 -1989) have been microfilmed and are available at the Boston Public Library (BPL). Some of the physical scrapbooks are located at the BPL, while the rest are housed onsite in the Handel and Haydn Society Archives. Please consult BPL and H+H finding aids for specific dates.

Visual Collection

The visual collection contains photographs, posters, paintings, drawings, and other visual material representing Handel and Haydn Society performances, people, events, and activities. This collection includes images of soloists, conductors, orchestra and chorus members, and staff of H+H. Images also document events and places such as performances, festivals, galas, benefits, and concert halls.

Press Clippings Collection

The Archives contains news clippings about the Handel and Haydn Society and its members. Clippings date back to 1816 and continue through today. Clippings include concert reviews, news stories, and advertisements.

Programs Collection

The Archives maintains copies of programs for performance by the Handel and Haydn Society. This is a large though incomplete collection which includes some signed and annotated programs, rare programs, and programs donated by patrons. The program collection contains loose programs as well as bound volumes.

Business Records

The Archives collects records and publications created in the course of H+H business from ca. 1815 to the present. These are organized by department and include administrative and operational, artistic, marketing, development, and education. These collections contain material with permanent historical value in documenting the activities, programs, decisions, and individuals of H+H.

Personal Collections

The Archives collects the personal and professional papers and manuscripts created by individuals who have had a significant relationship with H+H. These include, but are not limited to, collections of administrators, staff, performers, and others with close ties to H+H.

FOR RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION ABOUT DONATING MATERIAL TO THE ARCHIVES, PLEASE CONTACT THE ARCHIVIST.

Contact Information

Ashley Gray, Archivist
9 Harcourt Street, Boston, MA 02116
[email protected]
Phone: 617.262.1815