The Judith Sargent Murray Society was founded in 1996 by Bonnie Hurd Smith to honor the life, work, and legacy of Judith Sargent Murray, and to weave her story into the national story through research, publishing, programs, and other outreach efforts.
Since then, Bonnie has presented illustrated talks on Murray throughout New England as well as in New York and Chicago (where Judith Sargent Murray's portrait currently resides). Bonnie has assisted researchers and provided excerpts from Judith Sargent Murray's letters to authors David McCullough, Cokie Roberts, Joseph Garland, and Susan Branson, among others.
Bonnie has also produced several publications on Murray, and she is currently working on a multiyear project to transcribe and publish Judith Sargent Murray's letter books.
Bonnie Hurd Smith is the former president of the Sargent House Museum in Gloucester (Judith's home from 1782-94), the former executive director of the Ipswich Historical Society, a former consultant to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., creator of the Salem Women's Heritage Trail, a former board member of the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society, and former co-chair of the Unitarian Universalist Women's Heritage Society. She is a consultant to the Boston Women's Heritage Trail, having served earlier as executive director.
Bonnie is the president of HurdSmith Communications, a project management, public relations, and communications company founded in 1990 and located in Salem, Mass. Her clients include the National Park Service, Town of Ipswich, North Shore Living magazine, Cummings Architects, Simmons College, and the Boston Women's Heritage Trail.
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Bonnie Hurd Smith is available for speaking engagements, research support, and assistance on programs or projects relating to Judith Sargent Murray.
If you would like to receive email updates on Judith Sargent Murray-related news, please email Bonnie with your email address. This list will not be shared.
You may read an interview with Bonnie Smith by the Christian Science Monitor.