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

Land use & planning

What is land used for? Compare farms, forests, homes, and other uses. Zoning maps show rules for land use; land-cover maps show what is on the ground.

Showing 5 of 5 resources

Official local 2016 land cover/land use sample with the original classification legend.
Official local 2016 land cover/land use sample with the original classification legend.MassGIS / Commonwealth of Massachusetts Image source ↗
economy

Land cover and land use in 2016

statewide · 2000s

Compare forests, farms, developed land, and other land uses.

A question to investigate

What land uses lie beside a river or road?

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 ↗
Edgartown 1971 to 1985 land use change
Edgartown 1971 to 1985 land use change — published 1987–1991 (change map, second sheet).Leventhal Map & Education Center / Boston Public Library; University of Massachusetts (Amherst campus). Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, MassGIS (Office : Mass.), Massachusetts. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Image source ↗
historical

Edgartown land-use change, 1971–1985

Vineyard · 1900s

Investigate mapped changes in how land was used in Edgartown.

A question to investigate

What changes might replace open land?

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

Martha’s Vineyard Commission prepared maps

Find prepared maps of town planning, watersheds, zoning, and more.

How would a watershed map help a town make decisions?

Open the official map resource ↗
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 ↗
Middleborough, Massachusetts, zoning map
Middleborough, Massachusetts, zoning map — 2001Boston Public Library / Leventhal Map & Education Center; Applied Geographics, Inc.; Applied Geographics, Inc. Image source ↗
political

Middleborough zoning, 2001

regional · 2000s

Study an archived town zoning map showing different planned land uses.

A question to investigate

Why might a town set aside different areas for different uses?

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 ↗

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.

Explore the six lessons →Image credits & sources →
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