Leventhal Map & Education Center
@bplmaps.bsky.social
We use maps, geography, and history to understand the connection between people and places in Boston, New England, and beyond.
linktr.ee/bplmaps
linktr.ee/bplmaps
❗Join us for a collection showing with some of the LMEC’s oldest city maps❗
This free showing will be hosted Friday, December 12 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions.
Drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM. No reservation is required.
This free showing will be hosted Friday, December 12 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions.
Drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM. No reservation is required.
December 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
❗Join us for a collection showing with some of the LMEC’s oldest city maps❗
This free showing will be hosted Friday, December 12 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions.
Drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM. No reservation is required.
This free showing will be hosted Friday, December 12 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions.
Drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM. No reservation is required.
Dreaming of a snowy winter? ❄️☃️
Every $15 donation from now until December 31 will make ½ inch of snow “pile up” in our snow tracker. And, instead of having to shovel out afterwards, you’ll receive a gift in the mail as a thank you for supporting our mission!
www.leventhalmap.org/donate/decem...
Every $15 donation from now until December 31 will make ½ inch of snow “pile up” in our snow tracker. And, instead of having to shovel out afterwards, you’ll receive a gift in the mail as a thank you for supporting our mission!
www.leventhalmap.org/donate/decem...
December 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Dreaming of a snowy winter? ❄️☃️
Every $15 donation from now until December 31 will make ½ inch of snow “pile up” in our snow tracker. And, instead of having to shovel out afterwards, you’ll receive a gift in the mail as a thank you for supporting our mission!
www.leventhalmap.org/donate/decem...
Every $15 donation from now until December 31 will make ½ inch of snow “pile up” in our snow tracker. And, instead of having to shovel out afterwards, you’ll receive a gift in the mail as a thank you for supporting our mission!
www.leventhalmap.org/donate/decem...
Guess you could say Boston had the original "Back Street Bois" back in 1798. 😤🕺
This atlas of Boston, held by the Massachusetts Historical Society, shows a "J. Bois" who owned property on the corner of Back Street and Cross Street.
Read more about the Clough atlas: buff.ly/NTZBkDz
This atlas of Boston, held by the Massachusetts Historical Society, shows a "J. Bois" who owned property on the corner of Back Street and Cross Street.
Read more about the Clough atlas: buff.ly/NTZBkDz
December 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Guess you could say Boston had the original "Back Street Bois" back in 1798. 😤🕺
This atlas of Boston, held by the Massachusetts Historical Society, shows a "J. Bois" who owned property on the corner of Back Street and Cross Street.
Read more about the Clough atlas: buff.ly/NTZBkDz
This atlas of Boston, held by the Massachusetts Historical Society, shows a "J. Bois" who owned property on the corner of Back Street and Cross Street.
Read more about the Clough atlas: buff.ly/NTZBkDz
While there is still room for improvement, the Charles River’s water quality was rated “A-” by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2017. It's a big improvement for a river that was rated “D” only 30 years ago.
November 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
While there is still room for improvement, the Charles River’s water quality was rated “A-” by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2017. It's a big improvement for a river that was rated “D” only 30 years ago.
It took many collaborative efforts to fix the issue; a number of local and national organizations, including the Charles River Watershed Association, worked to clean up the existing pollution and to restrict industrial waste in the future.
November 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It took many collaborative efforts to fix the issue; a number of local and national organizations, including the Charles River Watershed Association, worked to clean up the existing pollution and to restrict industrial waste in the future.
During the nineteenth century, the Charles River became the site of sewer waste drainage and industrial pollution, originating not only from Boston but from far up the river as well. The city’s complex sewer system, prone to overflow during rainy seasons, only made the issue worse.
November 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
During the nineteenth century, the Charles River became the site of sewer waste drainage and industrial pollution, originating not only from Boston but from far up the river as well. The city’s complex sewer system, prone to overflow during rainy seasons, only made the issue worse.
We Bostonians are lucky to have a relatively clean river! But the Charles wasn’t always like that…
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #charlesriver
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #charlesriver
November 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
We Bostonians are lucky to have a relatively clean river! But the Charles wasn’t always like that…
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #charlesriver
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #charlesriver
❗Join us December 3 for "Radical Cartography: How Changing Our Maps Can Change Our World" with William Rankin❗
Cartographer and historian William Rankin argues that it’s time to reimagine what a map can be and how it can be used.
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
Cartographer and historian William Rankin argues that it’s time to reimagine what a map can be and how it can be used.
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
❗Join us December 3 for "Radical Cartography: How Changing Our Maps Can Change Our World" with William Rankin❗
Cartographer and historian William Rankin argues that it’s time to reimagine what a map can be and how it can be used.
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
Cartographer and historian William Rankin argues that it’s time to reimagine what a map can be and how it can be used.
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
🦃 🥧 Happy #Thanksgiving from all of us here at the Leventhal Center! We hope your day is filled with delicious food and great company.
November 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
🦃 🥧 Happy #Thanksgiving from all of us here at the Leventhal Center! We hope your day is filled with delicious food and great company.
The result of Higginson and McKim’s hard work was widely celebrated. Isabella Stewart Gardner herself paid over a thousand dollars to acquire a seat at opening night. Here’s to many more years for the musical jewel of Boston!
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The result of Higginson and McKim’s hard work was widely celebrated. Isabella Stewart Gardner herself paid over a thousand dollars to acquire a seat at opening night. Here’s to many more years for the musical jewel of Boston!
To design the new hall, Higginson hired none other than Charles McKim, the architect of the BPL. Building a concert hall is no easy task! The designers even consulted a Harvard physics professor to ensure that the reverberations would be perfect.
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
To design the new hall, Higginson hired none other than Charles McKim, the architect of the BPL. Building a concert hall is no easy task! The designers even consulted a Harvard physics professor to ensure that the reverberations would be perfect.
Prior to 1900, the city’s musical center was the Boston Music Hall, today’s Orpheum Theater. However, Henry Lee Higginson, founder of the Symphony Orchestra, wanted to move out of the Music Hall into a place with better ventilation, farther away from Boston Common.
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Prior to 1900, the city’s musical center was the Boston Music Hall, today’s Orpheum Theater. However, Henry Lee Higginson, founder of the Symphony Orchestra, wanted to move out of the Music Hall into a place with better ventilation, farther away from Boston Common.
That’s right, Boston’s most prominent classical concert hall opened in October of 1900, to a widely celebrated reception! Located right on the intersection of Mass. Ave and Huntington, Symphony Hall is considered among the greatest concert halls in the world for its acoustic design.
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
That’s right, Boston’s most prominent classical concert hall opened in October of 1900, to a widely celebrated reception! Located right on the intersection of Mass. Ave and Huntington, Symphony Hall is considered among the greatest concert halls in the world for its acoustic design.
Happy (belated) 125th to Boston Symphony Hall! 🎂
Maps: Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1898); Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1902), Indexed map of Boston (1900)
Source: WBUR
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Boston Symphony Orchestra
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #BSO
Maps: Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1898); Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1902), Indexed map of Boston (1900)
Source: WBUR
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Boston Symphony Orchestra
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #BSO
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Happy (belated) 125th to Boston Symphony Hall! 🎂
Maps: Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1898); Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1902), Indexed map of Boston (1900)
Source: WBUR
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Boston Symphony Orchestra
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #BSO
Maps: Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1898); Bromley, Atlas of the City of Boston (1902), Indexed map of Boston (1900)
Source: WBUR
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Boston Symphony Orchestra
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #BSO
❗Join us for a map collection showing highlighting Indigenous geographies❗
During this From the Vault, we’ll be exploring collections that document Native life and land in New England and beyond. This free showing will be hosted Friday, November 28, drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM.
During this From the Vault, we’ll be exploring collections that document Native life and land in New England and beyond. This free showing will be hosted Friday, November 28, drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM.
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
❗Join us for a map collection showing highlighting Indigenous geographies❗
During this From the Vault, we’ll be exploring collections that document Native life and land in New England and beyond. This free showing will be hosted Friday, November 28, drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM.
During this From the Vault, we’ll be exploring collections that document Native life and land in New England and beyond. This free showing will be hosted Friday, November 28, drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM.
Did you know there's a room in Boston City Hall where you can see the entire city ✨in miniature?✨
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #BOSCityHall
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #BOSCityHall
November 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Did you know there's a room in Boston City Hall where you can see the entire city ✨in miniature?✨
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #BOSCityHall
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #BOSCityHall
Among the only remnants of the quaint 19th century neighborhood is the Sears Building, today facing the City Hall plaza, and filled with various shops and businesses. A particular standout among these is a large brass kettle hanging above a Starbucks. But you’ve heard that story from us before 😉
November 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Among the only remnants of the quaint 19th century neighborhood is the Sears Building, today facing the City Hall plaza, and filled with various shops and businesses. A particular standout among these is a large brass kettle hanging above a Starbucks. But you’ve heard that story from us before 😉
Notable figures like William Lloyd Garrison lived and worked in Cornhill, with his office as a notable stop in the Underground Railroad. Most of Cornhill was demolished during the Government Center project in the 1960s, and was replaced with space for government buildings, like City Hall.
November 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Notable figures like William Lloyd Garrison lived and worked in Cornhill, with his office as a notable stop in the Underground Railroad. Most of Cornhill was demolished during the Government Center project in the 1960s, and was replaced with space for government buildings, like City Hall.
Cornhill was home to the majority of Boston’s printing offices, bookshops, and all manner of utilities and services. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, it also hosted Boston’s largest newspapers, including the “Massachusetts Spy” during the Rev. War and, a century later, the Boston Globe.
November 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Cornhill was home to the majority of Boston’s printing offices, bookshops, and all manner of utilities and services. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, it also hosted Boston’s largest newspapers, including the “Massachusetts Spy” during the Rev. War and, a century later, the Boston Globe.
Once upon a time, this neighborhood, called Cornhill, was centered around the intersections of Queen, King, and Cornhill Street. Doesn’t sound familiar? That’s because, after the Revolution, those streets were renamed to Court, State, and Washington, respectively.
November 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Once upon a time, this neighborhood, called Cornhill, was centered around the intersections of Queen, King, and Cornhill Street. Doesn’t sound familiar? That’s because, after the Revolution, those streets were renamed to Court, State, and Washington, respectively.
Do you ever wonder what neighborhoods Boston used to have that no longer exist? What would the city be like if they weren’t demolished? 🤔
Map: Parcel 10 : Sears Crescent, Government Center
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Historic New England
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
Map: Parcel 10 : Sears Crescent, Government Center
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Historic New England
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
November 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Do you ever wonder what neighborhoods Boston used to have that no longer exist? What would the city be like if they weren’t demolished? 🤔
Map: Parcel 10 : Sears Crescent, Government Center
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Historic New England
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
Map: Parcel 10 : Sears Crescent, Government Center
Images: Digital Commonwealth, Historic New England
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
Wrapping up midterms assignments or trying to get ahead on your finals? Check out LMEC's research guides! 🔍📖
Whether looking to do some research or looking to do some quick learning of a new subject, we encourage you to check out this resource!
Check out the link in bio for LMEC's research guides
Whether looking to do some research or looking to do some quick learning of a new subject, we encourage you to check out this resource!
Check out the link in bio for LMEC's research guides
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Wrapping up midterms assignments or trying to get ahead on your finals? Check out LMEC's research guides! 🔍📖
Whether looking to do some research or looking to do some quick learning of a new subject, we encourage you to check out this resource!
Check out the link in bio for LMEC's research guides
Whether looking to do some research or looking to do some quick learning of a new subject, we encourage you to check out this resource!
Check out the link in bio for LMEC's research guides
❗Join us this Friday, Nov 14 for our next map collection showing❗
In this installment of From the Vault, we’ll look at maps that demonstrate historic and contemporary shifts to place names.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
In this installment of From the Vault, we’ll look at maps that demonstrate historic and contemporary shifts to place names.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
November 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
❗Join us this Friday, Nov 14 for our next map collection showing❗
In this installment of From the Vault, we’ll look at maps that demonstrate historic and contemporary shifts to place names.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
In this installment of From the Vault, we’ll look at maps that demonstrate historic and contemporary shifts to place names.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
❗Join us November 13 for a conversation in the Brown Seminar Series on women property holders of Boston’s waterfront in the late 1700s with professor Katy Lasdow❗
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum
November 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
❗Join us November 13 for a conversation in the Brown Seminar Series on women property holders of Boston’s waterfront in the late 1700s with professor Katy Lasdow❗
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum
Use the link in our bio to register for the event.
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum
📖 Wanna find a shop’s address in the 19th century? Better pull out ye olde tome of addresses!
Map: Map of Boston: engraved expressly for Clark's Boston blue book (1885)
Source: BPL Research Guides, Internet Archive
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostontourism
Map: Map of Boston: engraved expressly for Clark's Boston blue book (1885)
Source: BPL Research Guides, Internet Archive
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostontourism
November 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
📖 Wanna find a shop’s address in the 19th century? Better pull out ye olde tome of addresses!
Map: Map of Boston: engraved expressly for Clark's Boston blue book (1885)
Source: BPL Research Guides, Internet Archive
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostontourism
Map: Map of Boston: engraved expressly for Clark's Boston blue book (1885)
Source: BPL Research Guides, Internet Archive
#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostontourism