Joseph P. Healey Library records: Now available for research

Joseph P. Healey Library at Columbia Point

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce a newly processed record collection documenting the activities of the Joseph P. Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Also documented is UMass Boston’s original library, the Armory Library at Park Square (1964-1974). Included are files kept by Walter Grossman, UMass Boston’s first Director of Libraries (1969-1984). Topics cover an “Alumnae Book Drive” held in 1966, the Armory of the First Corps of Cadets at 97-105 Arlington Street (site of the original UMass Boston library), the naming of the Healey Library, a former Science Library which was located on the second and third floors of the Science Building on the Columbia Point campus, and administrative issues such as library expenditures and establishing an online bibliographic search service. Also included in the collection is video of Healey Library at a Crossroad, a forum held at UMass Boston on January 24, 2000. Records span 1965-2000.

View the finding aid for this collection.


These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

History Department Graduate Committee records: Now available for research

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce a newly processed series of records documenting the activities of the History Department Graduate Committee at UMass Boston from 1972-1979. Formats include meeting minutes, memoranda, reports, and evaluations of master’s degree programs at UMass Boston.

These records were transferred to University Archives & Special Collections in July 2013 and have been processed as Series II of the University of Massachusetts Boston History Department records, 1962-1979.

View the finding aid for this collection.


These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

Moakley Chair establishment records: Now available for research

John Joseph “Joe” Moakley

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce the availability of records documenting the establishment of the Moakley Chair of Peace and Reconciliation at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies.

John Joseph “Joe” Moakley was born in South Boston on April 27, 1927. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1952. In 1973, Moakley became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and served as Chairman of the Committee on Rules in the 101st Congress through the 103rdCongress (1989-1995). Moakley served as a U.S. Representative until his death in 2001.

Padraig O’Malley, John Joseph Moakley Distinguished Professor for Peace and Reconciliation

In 2002, the John Joseph Moakley Chair of Peace and Reconciliation was established in his memory at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies Studies at UMass Boston. The goal of the Moakley Chair is to “address the tragic crisis of fractured societies around the world and reinforce the commitment to principles of peace and reconciliation among all the participants in the process” (umb.edu/moakley). Padraig O’Malley is the first and current Moakley Chair.

View the finding aid for this collection.


These records have been processed as part of University Archives & Special Collections’ Save Our History! campaign. In preparation for UMass Boston’s 50th anniversary, University Archives & Special Collections is calling for the transfer of founding documents and organizational records from all units on campus. These units include (but are not limited to) academic departments, administrative units, institutes, centers, and student groups. Read more about transferring University records to UASC.

Stoughton Mass. Memories Road Show photographs and stories available

Trinity Rouse and Andre Rouse at the Stoughton Mass. Memories Road Show, May 5, 2013. 

The images and stories gathered at the Stoughton Mass. Memories Road Show on May 5, 2013 are now available online. The event was organized by the Stoughton Public Library and the Stoughton Historical Society and held at the Council on Aging/Youth Commission. Two dozen local volunteers worked together with a team of UMass Boston staff members and “Roadies” from past Mass. Memories Road Shows to welcome individuals with connections to the town.

About one hundred individuals contributed over 350 photographs documenting personal memories of friends and relatives in Stoughton and beyond. UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley and Senator William “Mo” Cowan, both residents of Stoughton, were among the large number of participants who shared family photographs. Many contributors also brought images and stories about coming to the United States from Portugal, Turkey, Brazil, and other parts of the world. The collection also includes a few photographs of local businesses such as Dorothy Jean’s Bakery and the McNamara dairy farm. Featured as well are images of parades and other events held in 1976 to celebrate both Stoughton’s 250th anniversary and the bicentennial of the American Revolution.

Irene Walsh (second from left), with her father, Joe McPhee, and three bridesmaids, on her wedding day, July 19, 1952.

Browse the Stoughton Mass. Memories Road Show collection.


The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. In partnership with teams of local volunteers, we organize public events to scan family and community photographs and videotape “the stories behind the photos.” The images and videos are indexed and incorporated into an online educational database. Since its launch, the project has gathered more than 8,000 photographs and stories from across the state. It is supported in part by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund at UMass Boston.  

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston was established in 1981 as a repository to collect archival material in subject areas of interest to the university, as well as the records of the university itself. The mission and history of UMass Boston guide the collection policies of University Archives & Special Collections, with the university’s urban mission and strong support of community service reflected in the records of and related to urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, war and social consequence, and local history related to neighboring communities. To learn more, visit blogs.umb.edu/archives.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts records: Now available for research

University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston is pleased to announce the availability of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts records, 1907-2010 (bulk 1980-2010).

The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that educates funeral consumers about their rights and options. FCAEM provides consumers with current information about after-death care options in Massachusetts, including legal and practical information on death, burial, cremation, and anatomical gifts, as well as options for those who wish to care for their own dead. FCAEM maintains information on funeral directors and monitors legislation on funeral practices. The organization also provides speakers to civic and religious groups.

Founded as the Memorial Society of Massachusetts in 1962, FCAEM has undergone three name changes since its inception: The Memorial Society of New England (ca. 1970-1992), The Memorial Society, Inc. (1992-2002), and the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts (2002-present).

Additional information about the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts is available on the organization’s website at http://fcaemass.org.

View the finding aid for this collection.


University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collects materials related to the university’s history, as well as materials that reflect the institution’s urban mission and strong support of community service, notably in collections of records of urban planning, social welfare, social action, alternative movements, community organizations, and local history related to neighboring communities.

University Archives & Special Collections welcomes inquiries from individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in donating materials of an archival nature that that fit within our collecting policy. These include manuscripts, documents, organizational archives, collections of photographs, unique publications, and audio and video media. For more information about donating to University Archives & Special Collections, click here or email library.archives@umb.edu.