In July of this year MHA held our annual meeting and voted in a new board for our upcoming season. Over the next few months, we’ll be highlighting your MHA board members.
Earl Taylor will be serving as treasurer for the 2018-2019 season. An avid reader, Earl’s interest in history began at an early age. He pursued library studies in school and held positions at the Boston Public Library, American Antiquarian Society, John Carter Brown Library and the Library Systems at Boston College. He has a full-time job in the mortgage industry.
It was not until 2000 that Earl became active in the historical community. Encouraged by a friend, he joined the Dorchester Historical Society (DHA,) a fledgling effort to bring history alive in the Boston neighborhood. In 2001 he became the president of the DHA and he has held that position ever since.
In his work with the DHA Earl has gained invaluable experience in running nonprofits that he brings to the MHA board. In his sixteen years as president he has found that the most important aspect of the society is the people. Without them, DHA could not function. Volunteers research, give tours, fundraise and collect and make accessible primary sources and important historical materials that are now held in community trust.
Earl argues that it’s the same with the Massachusetts History Alliance. People working together can get the message out about the importance of the past; unity among heritage groups is essential. This has propelled his interest in the collaborative effort.
He dedicates his time as a volunteer simply because he is passionate about the work. In July 2018 Earl decided to join the board after watching the creation of the Alliance unfold before his eyes. Since becoming a board member, he has been behind the scenes work such as registering the board as a 501(c)3 nonprofit group and planning the organization’s future. In the next five years, Earl hopes that the group will grow to a membership of 500 this year, be a critical voice in the conversation about funding for the arts and humanities in Massachusetts and continue to advertise historical events.