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
Moving across Massachusetts
Investigate roads, rails, airports, ferries, and the choices behind them.
Showing 12 of 12 resources
An Azorean whaleboat under sail, featured by New Bedford’s Azorean Maritime Heritage Society; maritime heritage context, not identified as a Massachusetts location.Azorean Maritime Heritage Society; photographer or artist credit not identified in the image tag. Image source ↗
Portuguese and maritime heritage
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society
New Bedford
Historic Azorean whaleboats and rowing traditions connect New Bedford with the Azores. A nonprofit community group cares for boats and shares maritime skills.
A question to investigate
What knowledge is needed to preserve a boat as well as use it?
Summer-use sheet of the Mount Greylock State Reservation and Greylock Glen trail map, 2019 (PDF page 1).Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Image source ↗
physical
Mount Greylock trail map
regional · 2000s
Follow trails and elevation clues around Massachusetts’ highest mountain.
A question to investigate
Which route climbs most directly toward the summit?
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 railroads of the state of Massachusetts : accompanying the report of the railroad commissioners : 1899 — 1900Boston Public Library / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; Massachusetts. Board of Railroad Commissioners Image source ↗
transportation
Massachusetts railroads
statewide · 1900s
Follow railroad lines across Massachusetts at the start of the 1900s.
A question to investigate
Which towns appear to be rail crossroads?
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 regional transportation map = Mapa do transporte regional da Nova Inglaterra = Nueva Inglaterra, mapa regional de transporte = Carte de transport régionale de la Nouvelle Angleterre = 新英格蘭區域交通路線圖 — [2015?]Leventhal Map & Education Center / Boston Public Library; Massachusetts. Department of Transportation, Connecticut. Department of Transportation, Maine. Department of Transportation, New Hampshire. Department of Transportation, Rhode Island. Department of Transportation, Vermont. Agency of Transportation Image source ↗
transportation
New England regional transportation map
regional · 2000s
Compare regional travel connections, including Vineyard ferry-route insets.
A question to investigate
How would you combine two kinds of transportation?
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.
Woods Hole: a research ship
New Bedford: aboard Ernestina-Morrissey