MassachusettsHISTORY EXPLORERS GRADES 3–8
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Quick glossary
evidence
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

Counties, cities & towns

Locate community boundaries, then compare present-day maps with historical state and county maps.

Showing 7 of 7 resources

Official county index map, including cities and towns.
Official county index map, including cities and towns.MassGIS / Commonwealth of Massachusetts Image source ↗
political

Counties

statewide · 2000s

Counties group towns and cities. Find Dukes County and compare it with Berkshire County.

A question to investigate

How can a county include several islands?

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.

Open the interactive map ↗
Official statewide town-boundary sample map, with an inset illustrating survey boundaries.
Official statewide town-boundary sample map, with an inset illustrating survey boundaries.MassGIS / Commonwealth of Massachusetts Image source ↗
political

Cities and towns

statewide · 2000s

Explore the boundaries of Massachusetts cities and towns.

A question to investigate

Which towns touch your town?

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.

Open the interactive map ↗
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
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.

Explore the official source ↗
Map of the District of Maine Massachusetts : compiled from actual surveys made by order of the General Court, and under the inspection of agents of their appointment
Map of the District of Maine Massachusetts : compiled from actual surveys made by order of the General Court, and under the inspection of agents of their appointment — [ca. 1799]Leventhal Map & Education Center / American Antiquarian Society; Carleton, Osgood, 1742-1816, Hill, Samuel, approximately 1766-1804, Callender, Joseph, 1751-1821, Graham, George, active 1788-1813 Image source ↗
historical

District of Maine, Massachusetts

regional · 1700s

Study a map of Maine before it became a separate state.

A question to investigate

How can a map title reveal a changed political border?

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.

Explore the official source ↗
Map of Massachusetts proper
Map of Massachusetts proper — 1801Boston Public Library / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; Carleton, Osgood, 1742-1816, Callender, Joseph, 1751-1821, Graham, George, fl. 1788-1813, Hill, Samuel, approximately 1766-1804 Image source ↗
historical

Massachusetts proper

statewide · 1800s

Examine a large state map assembled from surveys.

A question to investigate

Where do you see the most roads and settlements?

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.

Explore the official source ↗
Barnstable County, Dukes County and Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
Barnstable County, Dukes County and Nantucket Island, Massachusetts — [1871]Leventhal Map & Education Center / Phillips Academy; Walling, Henry Francis, 1825-1888 Image source ↗
historical

Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties

regional · 1800s

Compare Cape Cod with the island counties on one map.

A question to investigate

How does water connect these counties?

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.

Explore the official source ↗
Map collection

Dukes County interactive map collection

Explore local GIS maps for Dukes County and its island towns.

How do different layers tell different stories about one place?

Open the official map resource ↗

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.

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