Past Updates

Archives Highlight

Publication Exchanges and the Flora Batava

A robust system of publication exchanges existed among societies in the 18th and 19th centuries. From this the Academy retains a selection of publications, such as an illustrated volume of the "Flora Batava".

Detail of Bill of Mortality gathered by Jedidiah Morse, 1797

Archives Highlight

The Academy’s Early Efforts in Collecting “Bills of Mortality”

From its founding, the American Academy was engaged in one of the earliest efforts to collect and analyze medical data as it pertained mainly to births and deaths, as a means of promoting public health.

Detail from Minutes of Stated Meeting on May 29, 1781, discussing subjects of study for the Academy

Archives Highlight

The Academy and the Study of Agriculture

The study and improvement of agricultural methods and practices has been an area of interest for the American Academy since its founding in 1780.

Detail of manuscript with wax seal and adhesives

Archives Highlight

New Project to Conserve and Digitize Early Academy Records

This fall the Academy Archives embarks on a new project to clean, repair, rehouse, and digitize many important documents from the Academy's early years, as well as a unique collection of records to related to the family of Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford.