American Historical Periodicals from the American Antiquarian Society
Explore the reactions, experiences, and opinions of everyday American people.
About the archive
American Historical Periodicals from the American Antiquarian Society provides a history of the American people from the colonial period to the twentieth century. Offering multiple perspectives on North America's thought, culture, and society through the eyes of those who lived it, the collection shows how history affected citizens from all walks of life.
With 260 periodicals from 1810 to 1926, Part VIII adds 148 titles new to American Historical Periodicals, and 112 that fill gaps in previously digitised periodicals available in Parts I through VII. The titles cover multiple disciplines, including agriculture, arts and literature, business and commerce, children and young people, entertainment and society, ethnic communities, health and medicine, history, immigration, refugee movements, and religion. Many of these periodicals are from state or ethnic historical societies, providing a more localised perspective on American history. This diversity of materials provides multiple lenses through which to view the American experience—and how Americans of that time viewed the world.
What does Part VIII add?
Greater Perspective and Representation: Content from unconventional, underrepresented voices provides a more complete history of the people, presenting more alternatives for filling in historical gaps and broad multidisciplinary application.
Society Cross Section: Materials present the thoughts, cultures, and societies of the American people during this time, looking through the eyes of those who lived it. The collection is ideal for multidisciplinary applications that examine America as an increasingly influential player on the global stage.
Increased Value to a Beloved Archive: This collection includes periodicals that the American Antiquarian Society acquired since the previous collection was released. Libraries can continue growing one of the most complete records of American periodical history.
Collections Include
American Historical Review 1895–1925
A joint effort between the history departments at Cornell University and Harvard University, the American Historical Review is the official publication of the American Historical Association. Published quarterly since 1895, the American Historical Review serves as the journal of record for the historical profession in the United States, bringing together scholarship from every major field of historical study.
Frank Leslie’s Budget of Fun 1859–1873
This new acquisition by the American Antiquarian Society offers a fun and interesting look at nineteenth-century U.S. society, culture, and politics. Frank Leslie was an English-born American engraver, illustrator, and publisher of family periodicals who established themselves in New York before entering the satire field. With Frank Leslie's Budget of Fun, he introduced a well-illustrated, sixteen-page satire published monthly that, unlike many of its contemporaries, didn’t shy away from politics. Like its publisher, the magazine was sympathetic to the Democratic Party and suspicious of Lincoln and the Republican Party's agenda.
Historical Society and State History Publications
Historical societies seek to preserve and promote interest in history, culture, and society. American Historical Periodicals from the American Antiquarian Society, Part VIII includes more than 54 publications and 273,000 pages of state and ethnic histories around the United States. These publications connect us to the people, places, and events important to state and ethnic histories. Aside from history, they also offer insights for those interested in genealogical research.
American Fonografur 1851 (two issues)
Phonographic writing provides a simple way to write and read a language by transcribing sounds and using signs that represent a phonetic or phonological element with no reference to meaning. Experimentation in phonographic writing systems influenced literacy, engagement with educational activities, and language understanding. American Fonografur is a short-lived and rare periodical published in New York, offering just one example of this fascinating writing system. Four issues were published in total, and the American Antiquarian Society acquired two of them.
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Additional Details
subjects covered
- American History
- Arts
- Arts and Humanities
- Health & Medicine
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Literature
- Religion & Philosophy
- Science & Technology
Platform Features & Tools
Cross-Search Capability
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Term Frequency
Researchers can see the frequency of search terms within sets of content to begin identifying central themes and assessing how individuals, events, and ideas interact and develop over time.
Topic Finder
By grouping commonly occurring themes, this tool reveals hidden connections within search terms—helping to shape research by integrating diverse content with relevant information.
