The Making History Gala is an unforgettable and festive evening of lively conversation, storytelling, dining, and more. The Gala celebrates the MHS’s commitment to collecting and sharing more than four centuries of American stories. Proceeds support the Society’s educational initiatives, including National History Day, the History Source, and civics education. This year’s event will be on April 23 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Avenue in Boston, starting at 6 pm.

This year’s event features Ken Burns, award-winning filmmaker. Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost fifty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made.

Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including seventeen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. In September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In November of 2022, Ken was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Reserve your seats by December 31, 2025, to take advantage of early bird pricing. Tickets are $400 each and sponsorships start at $2,500. On January 1, 2026, ticket prices increase to $500 and sponsorship starting prices increase to $3,250. Purchase at https://www.masshist.org/gala