Membership

Membership: Join or Renew Online Today!

Established in 1977, the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR) is an association of scholars dedicated to exploring the events and the meaning of United States history between 1776 and 1861. SHEAR’s mission is to foster the study of the early republican period among professional historians, students, and the general public. It upholds the highest intellectual standards of the historical profession and encourages the broad diffusion of historical insights through all appropriate channels, including schools, museums, libraries, electronic media, public programming, archives, and publications. SHEAR cherishes a democratic ethos in scholarship and cultivates close, respectful, and productive exchanges between serious scholars at every level of experience and recognition. SHEAR membership is open to all; most members are professional historians employed in colleges, universities, museums, and historical parks and agencies, as well as independent scholars and graduate students. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to the Journal of the Early Republic, published four times a year by the University of North Carolina Press.

Memberships/subscriptions are valid January 1 through December 31. Memberships/subscriptions received after October 31 in any year become effective the following January 1. Members/subscribers joining mid-year receive copies of all issues of the JER already in print for that year.

Ways to donate include

  • Make a donation to the D/E/I: SHEAR Research Fellowships 
  • Or, make a donation of any size to the general fund via the “Friend of SHEAR” link.

Become a “Friend of SHEAR”

Your payment of $500, $300, or $150 will cover your SHEAR membership including your JER subscription. Become a Friend today by clicking the link below.

“Friend of SHEAR” levels include

  • Sojourner Truth Friend: $500 Donation
  • Thomas Skidmore Friend: $300 Donation
  • Nicholas Biddle Friend: $150 Donation
  • Any amount of your choice above $150

2023 U.S. Membership/Subscription Rates

  • Students: $30
  • K-12 Teachers: $35
  • Community College Faculty: $40
  • Individuals (income to $45,000): $40
  • Individuals (income $45,000-$75,000): $75
  • Individuals (income above $75,000): $110
  • Institutions: $120

All memberships are available in one or three-year increments.

2023 Non-U. S. Membership/Subscription Rates (includes $21 non-U.S. shipping charge):

  • Students: $51 Subscription
  • K-12 Teachers: $56 Subscription
  • Individuals (income to $45,000): $61 Subscription
  • Individuals (income $45,000-$75,000): $96
  • Individuals (income over $75,000): $131
  • Institutions: $139 Subscription

All memberships are available in one or three-year increments.

Other Ordering Options:

Orders may be placed by mailing a membership form to the SHEAR business office directly:

Download the Membership Form (PDF) or Friends of SHEAR form (PDF) and mail to:

SHEAR
P.O. Box 200
Williamsburg, VA. 23187

Make all checks payable to SHEAR. International Orders: Please add $21 for postage.

Please direct all membership related inquiries and address changes to: shear@wm.edu.