The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (MA SHRAB) is the central advisory body for historical records coordination in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SHRAB provides guidance and support to institutions, organizations, and repositories in our state that steward and manage historical records. The SHRAB facilitates information sharing and cooperation among historical records repositories, makes available trainings on archival topics, and administers programs that assist in preserving and providing access to archival materials. The SHRAB serves as the state-level review body for grant proposals submitted to the National Historical Records and Publications Commission (NHPRC). The activities that the SHRAB undertakes are made possible through funding from NHPRC.
SHRABs in each state are authorized under federal regulations governing NHPRC (36 CFR Chapter 12). In Massachusetts, the SHRAB also serves as the Archives Advisory Commission (AAC). The Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Governor appoint volunteer Board members in accordance with MGL Chapter 9 Section 2A. Board members represent many different archival constituencies that span public and private institutions, large and small.
The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) provides leadership, advocacy and guidance to help ensure the identification, preservation, and use of the Commonwealth's public and private historical resources. The SHRAB encourages and supports communication and coordination among the historical records communities and the public. The SHRAB facilitates and helps identify projects that preserve these resources and make them accessible. Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) supports the activities of the SHRAB.
Dr. John D. Warner Jr., Coordinator
State Archivist, Massachusetts Archives
Alejandra Moutenot
Digital Records Archivist, Massachusetts Archives
Pleun Bouricius
President, Massachusetts History Alliance
Gloria Polizzotti Greis
Executive Director, Needham History Center & Museum
Dan McCormack
Archivist, Town of Burlington
Kaari Mai Tari
Town Clerk, Town of Concord
Susan Grabski
Executive Director, Lawrence History Center
Joan Ilacqua
Executive Director, The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
Lisa Conathan
Head of Special Collections, Williams College Libraries
Evan Knight
Preservation Specialist, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
David Weeden
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The 2022-2026 SHRAB Strategic Plan was approved by the Board on June 7, 2022.