The McNeil Center for Early American Studies
Established1978
FocusBasic research in all areas of early American history and culture
StaffDirector, Emma Hart

Associate Director, Peter Jakob Olsen-Harbich

Associate Director, Amy Baxter-Bellamy

Administrative Assistant, Wendy Coffman
Address3355 Woodland Walk
Location
Philadelphia
,
PA
Websitehttps://mceas.org

The McNeil Center for Early American studies (MCEAS) is a research institute based at the University of Pennsylvania. MCEAS was established in 1978 to support basic research of early American history and cultures.[1] MCEAS defines “early America” chronologically as the era between 1492 and 1850 A.D. and has a particular commitment on the early mid-Atlantic region (a geography consisting of the modern states of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York), but is known as a premier research institute for the study of early modern North America generally.[2] The Center publishes a peer-reviewed journal, Early American Studies, and a monograph series of the same name, both with the University of Pennsylvania Press.[3] 

The Center was originally known as the Philadelphia Center for Early American Studies, and was founded through a $575,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation.[4] In 1998, it was renamed for its principal donor, Robert L. McNeil Jr.[5][6] The Center's 10,000-square foot-facility on Penn's campus was built in 2005 by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and draws from Federalist and Georgian forms.[7][8][9]

Richard S. Dunn served as the founding director from 1978 to 2000, succeeded by Daniel K. Richter.[10] Emma Hart assumed the directorship in 2021.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ "McNeil Center for Early American Studies Records". University Archives and Records Center. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  2. ^ "Fellowships". Early American Sources. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  3. ^ "Publications | The McNeil Center for Early American Studies". www.mceas.org. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  4. ^ "Mellon Foundation". www.mellon.org. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  5. ^ "Penn Today | From tracing art thieves to tracing Early American history". www.penntoday.upenn.edu. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  6. ^ Dunn, Richard S.; Richter, Daniel K. (2011). "A Memorial Tribute to Robert L. McNeil Jr. (1915—2010): Benefactor of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies". Early American Studies. 9 (1): 233–239. ISSN 1543-4273. JSTOR 23546638.
  7. ^ "Projects | McNeil Center for Early American Studies". www.ramsa.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  8. ^ Ross, Ted. "McNeil Center opens home on Hill Field". www.thedp.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  9. ^ "Keast & Hood | Structural Engineers | McNeil Center | University of Pennsylavania". keasthood.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  10. ^ "Penn Faculty | Daniel K. Richter". www.live-sas-www-history.pantheon.sas.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  11. ^ Fea, John (2022-03-12). "New director of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies". Current. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  12. ^ "Penn Today | From tracing art thieves to tracing Early American history". www.penntoday.upenn.edu. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
Categories