Filter real maps and map collections by subject, place, and period. Compare what each map shows—and what it leaves out.
A political map shows boundaries. A physical map shows land and water. An old map shows what its maker knew, chose, or wanted others to believe.
Start with our built-in maps, then explore the catalog below. Collections lead to many more maps held by libraries and public agencies. The 1500s examples show a broader region before Massachusetts existed as a colony or state. Modern maps in the 2000s category include the twenty-first century.
Open the interactive map room →Who made this map, when, and for whom? What scale or projection does it use? Do its boundaries describe the time shown or a later interpretation? Compare a map with a second source.
Showing 12 of 82 resources
statewide · 2000s
Counties group towns and cities. Find Dukes County and compare it with Berkshire County.
How can a county include several islands?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Explore the boundaries of Massachusetts cities and towns.
Which towns touch your town?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Compare State House election districts with town borders.
Does each district follow town lines?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
See how communities are grouped into State Senate districts.
How do these districts differ from House districts?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Explore Massachusetts districts for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Why might districts cover different amounts of land?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Zoom in to see smaller areas used to organize voting districts.
How can one precinct contain more than one election district?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Trace areas where rainwater flows toward the same river or coast.
Can a watershed cross a state border?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Follow waterways through towns and across the state.
Which river carries water away from your area?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Study the sand, gravel, and other materials near the ground surface.
Where might moving ice have left different materials?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
A shaded relief layer makes high and low land easier to spot.
How does western Massachusetts look different from Cape Cod?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Examine the edges of the mainland, Cape Cod, and offshore islands.
Which coast has the most bays and inlets?
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
statewide · 2000s
Locate mapped marshes, swamps, and other wetland areas.
How do wetlands connect land and water?
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.
Atlascope: Boston then and nowExploration & mapsARGO: maps of Revolutionary AmericaExploration & mapsAllmaps: align a historical mapExploration & maps