The Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History

Harvard's research center for U.S. History and Culture

Research and teaching in the broad range of American historical inquiry
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Director's Welcome

Welcome to the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History. The Warren Center is a place for the exploration of American history and for the application of historical knowledge to real world challenges. We believe that critical engagement with key issues of the American past is foundational to understanding and making meaning of our contemporary world. Our activities center around the nurturance of innovative historical thinking, research, and writing. Through our guest speakers, visiting fellows, Harvard faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and engagement with the wider public, we seek to foster illuminating discussions about the American past and push historical knowledge in new directions. As the core component of the Center’s mission dating back to the vision of the Warren family’s original gift, our fellowship programs bring together scholars working on US history projects in a spirit of creativity and collaboration.

The Warren Center offers precious time and space for the development of new projects by emerging and established scholars. Our 2026-2027 faculty fellowship theme is “Commemorative Acts” led by Robin Bernstein (African and African American Studies and Women, Gender, & Sexuality) and Tiya Miles (History). In addition, the Charles Warren Center supports early career scholars through our Global American Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship.

At the Warren Center, we view history as a critical humanistic enterprise, and we encourage historians’ engagement with issues of public importance. Across the year, we will host occasional speakers whose work intersects with this year’s fellowship theme on labor and political economy. Whether you are a member of the Harvard community or the wider public with an interest in questions about American life, culture, and history, we hope that you will be able to join us in our ongoing conversations about the American past.

Lisa McGirr, Director, Warren Center for Studies in American History

Upcoming Events

Kim Gallon (Brown University)
February 11, 2027
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12:45PM - 2:45PM EST
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Robinson Hall, 35 Quincy St, Basement Conference Room B21
In Person
Title: “The Freedom to Create: Digital Commemoration, Performance, and The Black Press at 200.”

Elijah Gaddis (Auburn University)
February 18, 2027
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12:45PM - 2:45PM EST
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Robinson Hall, 35 Quincy St, Basement Conference Room B21
In Person
Title: “Understanding Black Communal Commemorative Practices.”

Rikki Byrd (The University of Texas at Austin)
March 11, 2027
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12:45PM - 2:45PM EST
|
Robinson Hall, 35 Quincy St, Basement Conference Room B21
In Person
Title: “In Loving Memory: Art, Black Performance, and Sartorial Politics of Mourning.”
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Publications

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Director and Staff

Lisa McGirr
Director of the Charles Warren Center (On Leave 2026-2027)
Charles Warren Professor of American History
Lisa McGirr specializes in the history of the 20th century United States. Her research and teaching interests bridge the fields of social and political history and focus, in particular, on collective action, state building, reform movements, and politics...
Lisa McGirr

Taylor Maurice
Assistant Director, Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History
Manager of Academic Affairs, Department of History
Taylor serves in a dual role as Assistant Director for the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History and Manager of Academic Affairs for the Department of History. In the Charles Warren Center, Taylor sets administrative direction for the...
Taylor Maurice

Marian Wilson
Charles Warren Center Coordinator
At Harvard’s Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History, Marian works closely with the Executive Director as part of a two-person team managing day-to-day operations, academic programming, and financial administration. She administers the...
Marian Wilson Grand Canyon

Amy Simpson
Administrative Coordinator, History and Charles Warren Center
Amy joined Harvard in January 2024 after seven years in the restaurant industry. As Administrative Coordinator for the History Department and the Charles Warren Center, she supports the History Department Chair, Warren Center leadership, and other History...
Amy Simpson