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Leventhal Map & Education Center
@bplmaps.bsky.social
820 followers 190 following 670 posts
We use maps, geography, and history to understand the connection between people and places in Boston, New England, and beyond.

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bplmaps.bsky.social
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!
January 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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
January 11, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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.
January 10, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
❗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.
January 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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
January 4, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
❗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.
January 3, 2026 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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
December 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
This series of wintery panoramic views draws us into the personal connections between geographers and the places they love.

Map: Panorama from the Pinnacle, Lyme, N.H. (1966). See our Digital Collections portal: buff.ly/1uN3XmY

#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory
December 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Whether you're spending today sledding, skiing, ice skating, throwing snowballs or curled up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, we wish you a happy holiday season!

❤️ the Leventhal Center ❄️
December 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Did you know that the Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in MA? Far northwest of Boston, this giant rises to over three thousand feet tall at its peak. In the snowy December of 1945, Bostonians hoping to visit would have faced a treacherous journey to the peak.

Donate today: buff.ly/XfrQlUU
Image of Greylock Mountain postcard. "Greylock Mountain circa 1930-1945". Did you know? Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in MA Topographical map of Mt. Greylock with Appalachian trail highlighted, labelled 1991. Map of Mt. Greylock center site, ca. 1990.
December 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Did you know? The Boston Elevated Railway (BERy), founded in 1894, was an early precursor to today’s MBTA system. In 1945, during Boston’s snowiest December on record, many commuters would have used "the El" to keep off the chilly streets!

Donate here! buff.ly/Ya3Zn5q
Promotional poster showing statue of woman against brick background. "When Sight Seeing visit the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY via BOSTON ELEVATED" View from Franklin Square of train on elevated tracks down Washington St. Map of Boston Elevated Railway Lines in 1925. View beneath elevated train tracks on Washington Street.
December 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
This December, the Leventhal Center is raising money to support our work in education, collections, and public programming in the new year—and we’re hoping for a proper Mass winter with snow! We’re aiming to beat the Blue Hill Observatory’s 1945 record of 45.2 inches.

Donate here! buff.ly/7OGLvYy
Image of snowy park, labelled Arnold Arboretum, December 1945. Did you know? Arnold Arboretum is the oldest public arboretum in the country, established in 1872. Map of proposed arboretum, 1879 Map of Arnold Arboretum showing location of trees and shrubs, 1900
December 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Welcome December 19 in our time capsule series, where we jump 80 years into the past to watch a big snowstorm blow over Boston, day-by-day.

Donate here! buff.ly/Ya3Zn5q

#bpl #LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #fundraiser #letitsnow
Time Capsule: Dec. 19, 1945. Image of a traincar near a set of snow-covered rails. Newspaper clippings. "SNOW. Wednesday -- Possibly snow. Thursday -- Cold, high winds." "Boston Digs Out of 12-Inch Snowfall". Old images of two women in the snow, a group of carollers. Picture of elevated train station with text: "On Dec. 19, 1945, the snowstorm arrived! At elevated train stations like this one, heavy snow caused closures and delays.
December 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Welcome back to our time capsule series, where we jump 80 years into the past to watch a big snowstorm blow over Boston, day-by-day.

Donate here! buff.ly/Ya3Zn5q

#LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #fundraiser #letitsnow #snowfall
Time Capsule: Dec. 18, 1945. Image of a snowy park landscape, with a church spire in the distance. Newspaper clippings about cold weather "Tuesday -- Cold. Wednesday -- Some snow." "Frigid Christmas Looms as Cold Spell Lengthens." One day before the snowstorm, only freezing temperatures and "some snow" were predicted.
December 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Welcome to our time capsule series, where we jump 80 years into the past to follow a Boston snowstorm as it played out, day by day.

Donate here! buff.ly/Ya3Zn5q

#LMEC #maps #bostonmaps #localhistory #bostonhistory #bostonmuseum #thingstodoinboston #bostontourism #fundraiser #letitsnow #snowfall
Time Capsule: Dec. 17, 1945. Image of train coming into South Station "Sub Zero Blast Brings N.E. Toll of Accidents, Exposures." "BRRR-rrrr! (We're Not the Only Ones!)." Headlines focused on accidents, transportation delays, and storm intensity ... "Snow, Heavy Winds Buffet Shipping, Delay Trains; Cold to Last 2 Days" ... but there were also positives to the chill. "Only scattered snow flurries are expected during the two-day cold spell. Skating, already made possible in suburban communities by the freezing weather of the past week, will be improved by the zero temperature." Image of woman in a warm coat. Snowy street scene with a clock tower, houses, and people walking.
December 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
❗Join us for our last collection showing of 2025 ... guest curated by you❗

This free showing will be hosted Friday, December 19 in the Learning Center with a staff member from the Leventhal Center available to answer questions.

Drop in any time between 2:00 pm–4:00 pm. No reservation is required.
December 16, 2025 at 10:40 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Still trying to figure out Christmas presents? Maybe this 1949 map of "products and industries" in the US can help! 🎁

How about a new pair of shoes from Massachusetts, a rug from Arizona, or dishware from West Virginia?

Robert Hyde de Grange, “These United States,” (1949): buff.ly/FNF4jcl
December 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
On your way home soon for the holidays?✈️ 🚆 🚗

By plane, train, or automobile, these maps show many kinds of routes. Safe travels, everyone!
December 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
Every $15 donation from now until December 31 makes ½ inch of snow “pile up” in our snow tracker, and you won’t even need to brave the roads! Instead, we’ll send a gift to you in the mail as a thank you for supporting our mission.

Support Us: www.leventhalmap.org/donate/decem...
December 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
❗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.
December 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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...
Map of Blue Hills Reservation with a bottom-left text blurb highlighting the Observatory location and a top right text blurb saying "Boston, ~10 miles," with an arrow pointing to the top-right of the image. Topographical map of Blue Hills Reservation, with a text blurb and arrow pointing out the Observatory. The date of the map, 1895, is circled, and added text beneath reads "The Blue Hill Observatory has a public data set for snowfall measurements that stretches back to 1893".
December 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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
December 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
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
November 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
❗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.
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
bplmaps.bsky.social
🦃 🥧 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