Leventhal Map & Education Center
We use maps, geography, and history to understand the connection between people and places in Boston, New England, and beyond.
linktr.ee/bplmaps
- Are octopuses secretly evil? The creators of these maps seem to think so! 🐙 Maps: Fred W. Rose, "Serio-comic war map for the year 1877" (1877): buff.ly/DPVNkMd, Kisaburō Ohara, "A humorous diplomatic atlas of Europe and Asia" (1904): buff.ly/hIRdF9c #bpl #LMEC #maps
- Yes, New England has had COLD winters before ... 🧊❄️🥶 Map: U.S. Geological Survey, "Mean monthly average temperature" (1986): buff.ly/rEUu47f #bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
- You've never seen Mt. Washington like this 🤩🗻 Check out our virtual reality immersive view of this panorama: buff.ly/TdcHrjH Map: George H. Walker & Co.; Boston and Maine Railroad, "Birds-eye view from summit of Mt. Washington; White Mountains, New Hampshire" (1902): buff.ly/bW4XfJO
- Highways have fundamentally altered the landscape of the United States 🚗
- In this session, we’ll explore the reasons behind these transformations and share approachable ways to weave this history into your teaching about Boston and its neighborhoods. Register now: buff.ly/8CUc7cU
- Visitors to our current exhibition may have noticed a strange label on one of the maps ...🔍 This 1776 visualization of British military positions around Boston prominently labels the scandalously-named named "Mount Whoredom" right next to the Common!
- Are you a New Englander ... or more of an "Eastern Metropolitan?" 🤔 This 1940 map examines the "rural cultural regions in the United States." It breaks down the continental US into 32 different regions, each with a named and define rural cultural pattern.
- The Leventhal Center and all BPL locations will be closed on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26 for a snow emergency. For more information, see the City of Boston press release: www.boston.gov/news/mayor-w...
- What's beer got to do with urban development? In this new article from Joshua Merced, you'll learn how Boston's brewing landscapes connect past to present, urban to rural, and people to place. Read the full article: buff.ly/xVJ4hVq #bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
- ❗Join us January 26 at 2 pm ET for "Beyond the Headlines: AI and Historical Newspapers."❗ This event, co-hosted by @bpl.boston.gov Digital Services and the Leventhal Map & Education Center. Register for event reminders using the link in our bio.
- Some of our digital tools may be unavailable or limited on Monday, January 19 due to scheduled maintenance. We expect normal functioning to resume on Tuesday, January 20.
- Calling all cartography lovers! This free showing will take place Friday, January 23 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions. Drop in any time between 2:00–4:00 pm. No reservation is required.
- Did you know about the Leventhal Center's in-gallery library? 📚 We have nearly 2,000 books and atlases available to browse during our open hours. Book topics range from tourist guides to place-based history ... and even maps of fictional worlds!
- You don't see too many maps like this one ... well, ever! 💙 This map of Scituate, Rhode Island is unique not only for its striking blue(print) color, but also for the fun anecdotes left by the mapmaker, Captain George E. Matteson. Map: buff.ly/bKVkk4N #bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory
- Though their time with us has ended, we couldn't be prouder of our Fall 2025 NEU Co-op students! 👏 Between July and December 2025, the LMEC had the pleasure of working with two, fulltime Northeastern University co-op students, Artem and Kate. Read their full interviews via the link in our bio.
- ❗Join the Leventhal Center, BPL Community History, and the Boston Athenaeum next week for a deep dive into one of Boston's most notable artists, Allan Rohan Crite❗ Registration is highly encouraged, register via the link in our bio.
- Sometimes, a globe is the only kind of travel you need 🌎 Gilman Joslin, “Joslin’s hand-book to the terrestrial and celestial globes: how to use a globe,” (1885): bit.ly/3Igkhw0 #bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism
- ❗Join Boston University professor Jim O’Connell for a lunchtime conversation about his new book, Boston and the Making of a Global City❗ Lunch will be served and registration is required to attend. While this event is currently full, we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist.
- The year is nearly over and we can’t thank you enough for your support of the Center. We’re grateful for our community of friends and map lovers. Happy New Year's Eve from the LMEC and we’ll see you in 2026! Image: Michael L. Moore, "President Donald C. Stone with Family": buff.ly/WOu51fB
