All About Massachusetts

Massachusetts Wildlife

Adams National Historical Park
Learn about the history of the birthplace of two U.S. Presidents, and take a virtual tour of their homes.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Salem Maritime National Historic Site promotes the maritime history of New England and the United States, and preserves part of the historic waterfront in Salem, Massachusetts. The park's wharfs and buildings tell the story of the development of colonial port towns, the importance of global trade to the early economy of the United States, and the connection between maritime trade and growing industrialization. Explore the people, places, and stories of America's first national historic site

Concord Museum
Lesson plans using primary sources to teach about Henry David Thoreau, as well as "The shot heard round the world".  Thanks to the rare survival of 1827 probate documents, students can also learn about the life of Thomas Dugan, a former enslaved person who made his way from Virginia to Massachusetts and became a land-owner. The inventory provides a glimpse into Dugan’s life that would otherwise not be possible. It also can give us a sense of the lives of his contemporaries who are otherwise invisible to history.

Pilgrim Hall Museum
Explore an online collection of artifacts from the Pilgrims. You'll also find Mayflower passenger biographies, primary sources such as wills and court records, and 6-12 lesson plans.

Nantucket Historical Association
Brief articles on diverse areas of Nantucket history, including oral histories. You can also find K-12 lesson plans about Nantucket history and culture.

Clara Barton Birthplace Museum
Learn about Clara Barton and the founding of The American Red Cross through articles and videos.

Alden House Historic Site
The purpose of the Alden House Historic Site is to preserve, educate and exhibit the history and heritage of Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins Alden. They have a long list of videos about Massachusetts history, especially as it relates to the Mayflower and those who sailed on it.

John F. Kennedy National Historic Site
Explore the neighborhood the Kennedys called home at the time of JFK's birth. Learn more about the family and discover some of their stories. The collections highlight page will introduce you to items specifically assembled by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy with the intent that they be seen by the public. The display includes household furnishings, photographs and significant mementos belonging to the family.

Boston National Historic Park
Students can learn about hundreds of years of revolution in Boston, encompassing not only the American Revolution, but also the Underground Railroad and the suffrage movement.

Old North Church
Famous for the events of one night in 1775, Old North Church was built in 1723, and continues to host an active congregation to this day. Learn about the history of the church through articles and videos, including the 99% Web Series, because, "History and research can be tricky business, but we’re 99% Sure that everything you hear in this series is true."

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Read about the lives of JFK and his family. The Teacher section includes lesson plans and the Student area has even more learning resources. High schoolers can get information about the Profiles in Courage Essay Contest.

The Paul Revere House
The site features several articles about Paul Revere and his famous midnight ride. You'll also find reading lists divided by age group, along with a short list of additional resources.

Emily Dickinson Museum
Renowned poet Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, MA in 1830, and spent most of her life there. You'll find lesson ideas, Dickinson's biography (including information about her friends and even her dog), and a whole page of virtual activities ranging from a full Virtual Syllabus to a Spotify playlist.

Birthplace of John F. Kennedy: Home of the Boy Who Would Be President
Lesson plans for grades 5-12 from the National Park Service’s  as part of their Teaching Historic Places program.

Amherst Historical Society
This group has compiled an extensive list of resources for learning about the history of Amherst and western Massachusetts, including online books and documents, as well as book and film lists.

General Henry Knox Interactive Timeline
Boston-born Knox is arguably one of the most important men of the American Revolution,  yet most of us have never heard of him. He was one of two officers (Nathanael Greene was the other) who stuck by Washington’s side from day one to the bitter end of the fight for America’s freedom, eight and a half years later. His wife Lucy deserves her own story. Even as a young bride from a wealthy loyalist family, when war broke out, she accompanied Henry to the front lines with a sword sewn into her dress.  The site also includes Middle School/High School Primary Source Lessons, book suggestions for K-12, and videos suitable for "Upper Elementary" through high school.

The 50 States - Massachusetts
From TeachersFirst. A comprehensive resource on Massachusetts

Mr. Donn.org - Massachusetts
Collection of Massachusetts resources from Mr. Donn, who offers one of the largest collections of social studies resources available.

Massachusetts Primary Sources (Library of Congress)
Selected Library of Congress primary sources with a Teacher's Guide

50 States.com - Massachusetts
Facts & Trivia about Massachusetts

RoadsideAmerica.com - Massachusetts
Unique tourist attractions and landmarks in Massachusetts

Awesome America - Massachusetts
Loads of fun facts, photos, and travel information about Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Map/Quiz Printout
EnchantedLearning.com