A few years ago, we noticed something curious. While every state in the U.S. has a historical society — as do most counties, cities, and towns —  there was no national society. 

So, we decided to do something about the deficiency. Last April 26, we launched The National Historical Society, a new 501(c)3 incorporated in our nation's capital. This week, we finished a new website for the Society.

The Society's founding documents state that its mission is “to foster, promote, and encourage interest in and the study of American history and culture, support research, and develop media to connect all Americans to their shared heritage.”

Importantly, NHS also aims to “encourage the teaching of American history and civics in schools and universities, and promote civic literacy.”

On the first anniversary of the organization's founding, the new National Historical Society assumed operation of American Heritage, the widely respected magazine of American history. For 73 years, it has connected Americans to their shared heritage with trusted, non-partisan writing by leading scholars. 

We are asking our subscribers and friends to join us as founders of this nonprofit, with the important mission of teaching people around the world about our nation and the people who built it.

These are difficult times in publishing. Most publications now require readers to pay before they can read. But we refuse to put a "pay wall" around the 11,000 essays in our archives, since this extraordinary archive is so often used by students and researchers.

Please consider making a donation to support our efforts to educate millions of people every year about American history.