Information from a source that helps us test a claim.
source
A document, object, image, or account we can examine.
inference
An explanation based on clues; it still needs checking.
migration
Moving from one place to another to live.
immigrant
A person who moves to another country to live.
estimate
An approximate amount, based on available information.
oral history
A recorded interview about someone’s memories and experiences.
community
People connected by a place, relationships, or shared activities.
ancestry
Family origins across generations.
primary source
Evidence created by someone who experienced a time or event.
Choose · notice · investigate
Maps before 1800
Travel back through three centuries of mapmaking. Choose a century, explore early coastal maps, or focus on Martha’s Vineyard.
These maps are grouped by the date of the original map. A preview may show a later photograph or facsimile (a copy). Check the caption for both dates. The 1500s maps show wider regions, before Massachusetts existed as a colony or state.
Showing 12 of 20 resources
Martin Waldseemüller, world map, 1507 — Library of Congress composite of twelve sheets.Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division; Martin Waldseemüller Image source ↗
historical
Waldseemüller’s world map
regional · 1500s
An early European world map gives context for changing ideas about the Americas.
A question to investigate
What could this broad map tell you—and not tell you—about New England?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
La Nuova Francia — 1556From The Trustees of Phillips Academy / Digital Commonwealth; Ramusio, Giovanni Battista, 1485-1557, Gastaldi, Giacomo, approximately 1500-approximately 1565 Image source ↗
historical
Gastaldi’s New France
regional · 1500s
An early regional map shows an unfamiliar-looking northeastern coast.
A question to investigate
Which coastlines can you recognize?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Simon Athearn’s annotated Martha’s Vineyard map, 1698 — later photograph of a display copy.Harvard Forest; display at Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, based on a map at Martha’s Vineyard Museum Image source ↗
historical
Simon Athearn’s annotated Martha’s Vineyard map
Vineyard · 1600s
Study a photographed copy of an early annotated island map.
A question to investigate
Which place names can you find today?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
New England : the most remarqueable parts thus named by the high and mighty Prince Charles, prince of great Britaine — [1624]Boston Public Library / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; Smith, John, 1580-1631 Image source ↗
historical
New England, John Smith
regional · 1600s
Compare this 1624 edition of John Smith’s map with a map today.
A question to investigate
Which English place names were added to the coast?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
The South part of New-England, as it is Planted this yeare, 1639 — map leaf in William Wood’s New Englands prospect.Phillips Academy, Sidney R. Knafel Map Collection; William Wood; digital access via Leventhal Map & Education Center Image source ↗
historical
New England’s prospect
regional · 1600s
Look at settlements and waterways in an early New England map.
A question to investigate
Which features seem most important to its maker?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
A mapp of New England — [1675]Boston Public Library / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; Seller, John, fl. 1658-1698, Hills, John, active 17th century Image source ↗
historical
A map of New England
regional · 1600s
Explore a seventeenth-century view of New England.
A question to investigate
What looks stretched, missing, or unfamiliar?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Boston Harbour in New England — [1689]Leventhal Map & Education Center / Boston Public Library; Seller, John, fl. 1658-1698, Southack, Cyprian, 1662-1745 Image source ↗
historical
Boston Harbour in New England
regional · 1600s
Study a harbor map from the seventeenth century.
A question to investigate
Why would a sailor need more than a coastline?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
[Chart of Nantucket Island and the eastern half of Martha's Vineyard] — 1776Leventhal Map & Education Center / Boston Public Library; Des Barres, Joseph F. W. (Joseph Frederick Wallet), 1722-1824 Image source ↗
historical
Nantucket and eastern Martha’s Vineyard
Vineyard · 1700s
Study an eighteenth-century chart of the two islands.
A question to investigate
What information would help a ship avoid shallow water?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Map of the island of Martha's Vineyard with its dependencies — [1782]Massachusetts Historical Society / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; St. John de Crèvecoeur, J. Hector, 1735-1813 Image source ↗
historical
Martha’s Vineyard and its dependencies
Vineyard · 1700s
See how the island was drawn in an eighteenth-century printed map.
A question to investigate
Which neighboring islands are included?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Plan of Edgartown and Tisbury, made by Benjamin Smith, dated June 1, 1795. — 1795Leventhal Map & Education Center / Massachusetts Archives; Smith, Benjamin Image source ↗
historical
Edgartown and Tisbury survey
Vineyard · 1700s
Explore an island town survey made in 1795.
A question to investigate
How do the town divisions compare with today?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Map of the commonwealth of Massachusetts exclusive of the district of Maine : compiled pursuant to an act of the General Court from actual surveys of the several towns, &c. Taken by their order — [1795?]Leventhal Map & Education Center / American Antiquarian Society; Carleton, Osgood, 1742-1816, Carleton, Osgood, 1742-1816, Norman, John, 1748?-1817, Norman, William, -1807 Image source ↗
historical
Massachusetts without the District of Maine
statewide · 1700s
Study a state map made when Maine was still part of Massachusetts.
A question to investigate
Why does the title mention land that is not shown?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Sources checked September 23, 2026. Open the source for current programs, hours, access, and map updates. Historical maps may contain outdated language or incomplete representations of Native homelands.
![[Chart of Nantucket Island and the eastern half of Martha's Vineyard]](assets/atlas-exact/7h149z539.jpg)
