Massachusetts History
Regional Resources
Scroll down for links and guides to resources in Eastern, Central and Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts Resources
- Emily Dickinson MuseumIncludes material on the poetess, her home, and that of her relatives.
- Exploring Western MassachusettsBlog that brings you "through the past, into the future." Here you'll find vintage postcards and ephemera, photographs, old advertisements, anecdotes and original essays. Handy links - always accessible on the right - guide you to online digital archives, local news sites, maps, museums and more.
- Historic DeerfieldIncludes video introduction and interactive map.
- Memorial Hall MuseumLocated in Old Deerfield, MA, this historic hub features 19 exhibition rooms (e.g., 1704 Raid on Deerfield) and a calendar of public events of historic interest. The site includes a link to its Online Museum.
- Mohawk TrailIncludes a history of the trail, points of interest, and a detailed map.
Boston & Eastern Massachusetts Resources
- Cape and Islands Historical AssociationMuseums, historical societies and libraries of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.
- Hammond CastleHome of John Hays Hammond, Jr., and his laboratory dedicated to research in radio technology.
- Lizzie Borden HouseHistory of the famous 19th-century murders and related resources.
- Minute Man National Park and Historic BattlegroundWebsite devoted to Lexington and Concord and their relation to the American Revolution.
- New Bedford Whaling MuseumExhibits and other resources on whaling and maritime history
- Official Salem GuideCheck the history link for resources and archives related to the Salem witch trials.
- Paul Revere HouseDedicated to matters related to the American patriot.
- The Freedom TrailResource for the history of Boston and the American Revolution.
Central Massachusetts Resources
- Blackstone River Valley National ParkA site devoted to the history of the Blackstone River Valley.
- Historical sites in Cental MassachusettsA link that provides information about museums, art galleries, and libraries in central Massachusetts.
- Lowell National Historical ParkOn the history of the Merrimack valley and the textile industry.
- Worcester Historical MuseumExhibitions, artifacts, and library resources related to the history of Worcester.
STATE RESOURCES
- Mass.GovIncludes state-sponsored links to maps, government agencies, demographics, and the Commonwealth Museum.
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS)Database of Massachusetts Historical Commission. Includes information on some historical properties.
- Massachusetts Historical CommissionIdentifies, evaluates, and protects important historical and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth. Use the index to see a rich listing of links, which includes up-to-date information as well as historical data.
- Massachusetts Historical SocietyValuable gateway to a variety of resources. Thematic areas contain scholarly essays and digitized historical documents.
- Massachusetts History & Genealogy Books OnlineNumerous genealogy and history books which have been scanned or transcribed online and are available to read.
- Massachusetts State ArchivesOrganized by agency and date from 1629 to the present, illuminating the structure of the state's government. Genealogy and African-American history are also covered. Searchable online resources are available from 1629 to 1799.
- Millers River WatershedCurrent information about the Millers River Watershed, authored by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs of the Massachusetts state government. Click here for additional Information about PCBs in the Millers River Watershed.
- State Library of MassachusettsComprehensive repository of state documents and other historical items.
LOCAL RESOURCES
- Directory of Massachusetts Historical SocietiesComprehensive directory of history and historical society Web sites in Massachusetts.
- E-PodunkDetailed profiles of all towns in Massachusetts; based on census data and other sources.
- Local and Regional Archives and Manuscript RepositoriesLinks of regional interest, including archives and manuscript repositories, online collections, preservation, genealogy, Robert Frost, and Emily Dickinson.
- Massachusetts Cities & Town InformationData on public schools, municipal finance, state legislators, employment, and state aid for 351 Massachusetts communities.
- Visit New EnglandListing of history museums and galleries in the Pioneer Valley.
Living History Museums
- Old Stubridge MuseumA reconstructed living history museum built to represent a 19th century village.
- Plimouth PlantationPremier living history museum reconstructs the original 17th century Plymouth Colony settlement established by English colonists. Plimouth Plantation is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program.
- The Hancock Shaker VillageA living history museum who's mission is to perserve the history of the Hancock Shakers.
GENERAL RESOURCES
- American Folklife CenterLibrary of Congress site featuring a collection of more than 4,000 collections of images, sounds, written accounts, and other items of cultural documentation from all 50 states, as well as U.S. trusts, territories, and the District of Columbia.
- American MemoryLibrary of Congress site providing free and open access to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America.
- DoHistoryInteractive program that teaches basic skills and techniques for interpreting fragments that survive from any period in history. The case study example is based on research from the 200-year-old diary of midwife/healer Martha Ballard.
- Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930Web-based collection of selected historical materials from Harvard's libraries, archives, and museums that documents voluntary immigration to the U.S. from the signing of the Constitution to the onset of the Great Depression.
- Mass MomentsDaily almanac of Massachusetts history covering different stories about events and people in the recorded history of Massachusetts. Includes images, illustrations, primary sources, documents, associated links, and a timeline to see when a given "Moment" o
- U.S. Census BureauDetailed information covering most communities in the U.S. Summary population statistics are broken down by age, ethnicity, education, income, language(s) spoken, and ancestry.
- Women Working, 1800-1930Access to 500,000 digitized pages and images focusing on women's roles in the U.S. Selected from Harvard University's library and museum collections.
- Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 11:01 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/masshistory
- Print Page