In 1780, at the height of the American Revolution, Boston clockmaker and scientist Joseph Pope created an extraordinary tall case clock that is now...
October 14–December 9, 2026
America at 250: Expanding the American Story Through Art
Joseph Savart, Woman from Guadeloupe with Blue and White Shawl (detail), 1769. Pastel on paper. Henry H. and Zoe Oliver Sherman Fund.
Joseph Savart, Woman from Guadeloupe with Blue and White Shawl (detail), 1769. Pastel on paper. Henry H. and Zoe Oliver Sherman Fund.
As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, this course explores the nation’s founding through the remarkable works in the MFA’s new suite of galleries, “Art of the Americas, 1700–1800.” Paintings, portraits, furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles, maps, and other decorative arts each tell a story about the people, ideas, and events that shaped a new nation. Each week, dive into a conversation centered around highlights from the galleries, learn the stories behind them, and hear about new discoveries curators made as they installed the galleries.
Ticket Packages
Purchase the discounted eight-session course package. Please note that this course package is not available after the date of the first session.
Please note there is no session on Wednesday, November 25.
Tickets (Member / Nonmember)
In-Person $190/$240
Online $104/136
For more information and to purchase tickets for individual sessions, select from the section below.
Upcoming Events
Lecture
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Lecture
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
How do we see the women of the American Revolution? Few images remain, but women played key roles in the conflict, on both sides. Many were activists...
Lecture
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Explore 18th-century dress from the inside out through one of the MFA’s most important American gowns. Made of English silk for Mary Waters of Salem...
Lecture
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Boston’s Paul Revere and Mexico City’s Jose Maria Rodallega were two of the most successful silversmiths in the Americas in the18th century. Though...
Lecture
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Wampanoag people have lived in the land that is now Massachusetts since time immemorial, but Wampanoag art was largely invisible in the MFA’s...
Lecture
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Whether in the words of famous Massachusetts abolitionists or in Black Americans’ naming conventions in the years of Reconstruction following the...
Lecture
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Printed matter—from maps, books, and newspapers to portraits, currency, and ephemera—was everywhere in the 18th century. Though only a small...
Lecture
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Not much is known about the history of the MFA’s iconic 18th-century sculpture Liberty. Its object record contains little information. It might have...
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Livestream Tickets
The livestream ticket gives access to a live feed of the event that can be watched remotely. You must be logged in to the account used to purchase the ticket in order to access the livestream on the Video Content page. Please log in at least 5 minutes before the start of the event to test your connection.
Livestream ticket holders must watch the event live; there is no recording of the event available for viewing at a later time.
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.