Massachusetts – Eloray

Bates Hall, Boston Public Library (Hari Krishnan, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Let’s Visit Massachusetts

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions in Massachusetts
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Massachusetts

Highlights

Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Massachusetts.

Freedom Trail (Boston) is famous for its 2.5-mile route that passes 16 significant historical sites, including Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church, offering a journey through Revolutionary War history.
Fenway Park (Boston) is renowned as the home of the Boston Red Sox and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use, having opened in 1912. It’s a must-visit for baseball fans.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums (Plymouth) is known for its immersive reenactment of 17th-century life, showcasing the Pilgrims’ settlement and the Native Wampanoag community. It’s famous for its historical ties to the Pilgrims’ landing in 1620.
Harvard University (Cambridge) is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, founded in 1636. Its beautiful campus, rich history, and world-class museums attract visitors from around the globe.
The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) is famous for its extensive collection of over 450,000 works of art, spanning ancient to contemporary pieces, making it one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world.
The Salem Witch Museum (Salem) is renowned for its exhibits on the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. It offers a deep dive into the hysteria that led to the trials and executions in colonial Massachusetts.
Cape Cod National Seashore (Cape Cod) is known for its beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and lighthouses. The area is a popular destination for swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing along the Atlantic coast.
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum (Boston) is famous for its interactive exhibits and reenactments of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, one of the key events leading up to the American Revolution.
The House of the Seven Gables (Salem) is known for its connection to author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who used the mansion as inspiration for his famous novel of the same name. The house, built in 1668, is a National Historic Landmark.
The Berkshires (Western Massachusetts) is famous for its scenic mountains, vibrant cultural scene, and venues like Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It’s a popular destination for outdoor activities and the arts.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Plymouth Rock with the date 1620 (Sophia Lai, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Discover these little-known facts about Massachusetts.

Basketball Was Invented in Massachusetts
In 1891, James Naismith invented basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, while trying to keep students active indoors. Today, the Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield to honor the sport’s birthplace.
Boston Built the First American Subway
The first subway system in the U.S. was built in Boston in 1897. Known as The T, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is still operational today, making Boston’s subway one of the oldest in the world.
The Salem Witch Trials Were Real
In 1692, the town of Salem became infamous for its witch trials, during which 20 people were executed for witchcraft. Today, Salem is a hotspot for paranormal tourism and Halloween celebrations.
The First American Dunkin’ Donuts Opened in Massachusetts
The first Dunkin’ Donuts opened in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1950. The state is known for its deep love of Dunkin’, with its coffee and donuts ingrained in Massachusetts culture.
Boston Has the Oldest Public Park in America
Boston Common, founded in 1634, is the oldest public park in the U.S. Originally used for grazing cattle, it’s now a popular spot for relaxing and enjoying outdoor events
The First Public Library: Established in Peterborough in 1833, setting a precedent for free public libraries across the U.S.
The First American Lighthouse Was Built in Boston Harbor
The Boston Light, built in 1716, was the first lighthouse in the U.S. While the original structure was destroyed during the Revolutionary War, a new one stands in its place and is still operational.
Plymouth Rock Is Smaller Than You Think
Plymouth Rock, the famous landing spot of the Pilgrims in 1620, is surprisingly small. While it holds great historical significance, many visitors are shocked by its modest size.
Harvard University Is the Oldest College in America
Founded in 1636, Harvard University in Cambridge is the oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. It’s known for its prestigious history and famous alumni, including U.S. presidents and Nobel Prize winners.
There’s a Legal Sea Monster in Massachusetts
In 1974, the town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, passed a law banning anyone from harassing or killing a sea monster known as The Gloucester Sea Serpent. The legend dates back to the 1800s, but no serpent has ever been found.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Massachusetts.

Famous Men

John F. Kennedy, White House (Cecil Stoughton, Wikimedia Commons)

John Adams (1735–1826) was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, and served as the second President of the United States. He was a key figure in the American Revolution and helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and became one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was an inventor, diplomat, and writer, known for his role in the American Enlightenment.
John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and became the 35th President of the United States. He is remembered for his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis and for advancing civil rights legislation.
Paul Revere (1734–1818) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is famous for his midnight ride during the American Revolution, warning colonists of the British invasion before the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and became a key figure in the transcendentalist movement. His essays and lectures on self-reliance, nature, and individuality influenced American thought and literature.

Famous Women

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) was born in Adams, Massachusetts, and was a leading figure in the women’s suffrage movement. Her work helped pave the way for the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, and became one of the most important American poets. Her unconventional style and introspective poetry gained recognition posthumously, making her a literary icon.
Clara Barton (1821–1912) was born in North Oxford, Massachusetts, and founded the American Red Cross. She was a pioneering nurse during the Civil War and dedicated her life to humanitarian work.
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. She is best known for her novel Little Women, which remains a classic in American literature.
Helen Keller (1880–1968) was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, but attended the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She became an author, activist, and lecturer, overcoming the challenges of being both deaf and blind.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

February 6, 1788 (6th)

State Capital and Government

Massachusetts State House in Boston (King of Hearts, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Boston
Government of Massachusetts

Area and Total Population

Area: 7,800 square miles

Total Population: 6,745,000

Major cities and their population

City	Population
Boston	654,000
Worcester	208,000
Springfield	154,000
Cambridge	118,000
Lowell	114,000

Education

Harvard University (QuarterCircleS, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Educational Resources

MIT (Masssachusetts Institute of Technology) Dome (Fcb981 Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Twinkl. Massachusetts

Fairs and festivals

The Big E, Storrowton

Flag

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag displays the state coat of arms on a white field. The shield depicts an Algonquian Native American with bow and arrow. The arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. A white star with five points appears next to the figure’s head. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem (By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty).

Above the shield is the state military crest: the bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. The blade of the sword points upward, reminding people that it was through the American Revolution that liberty was won.

Massachusetts is one of only two state flags that prominently features a Native American in its heraldry. The other is the flag of Florida.

Geography

Location

Google map of Massachusetts

Glimpses Into History

The Landing of the Pilgrims (Henry Bacon, 1839-1912)

Historical sketch of Massachusetts

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Massachusetts.

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

Paul Revere statue, Boston (Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

National and State Parks

Sports

Boston Celtics game versus the Timberwolves (Ktr101, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Professional Teams: Greater Boston Area

Major League Baseball (MLB): Boston Red Sox
Major League Soccer (MLS): New England Revolution
National Basketball Association (NBA): Boston Celtics
National Football League (NFL): New England Patriots
National Hockey League (NHL): Boston Bruins

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

State Motto

“Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem.” Latin for “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”

State Nicknames

The Bay State
The Pilgrim State

State Symbols

See State symbols. Massachusetts

Seal

The history of the Seal of Massachusetts

The Massachusetts state seal was adopted in 1885. It displays the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, surrounded by the words “Sigillum Reipublicae Massachusettensis” (Latin for “Seal of the Republic of Massachusetts“).

The blue shield features a native American of the Algonquin nation (in gold) holding a bow in his right hand and an arrow pointing downward in his left (indicating peacefulness). Above his right arm is a 5-pointed silver star representing Massachusetts as one of the original thirteen states.

The crest above the shield displays a blue and gold braid with an arm grasping a broadsword. The state’s motto is written in gold on a blue ribbon streaming below the native American: “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty).

License Plate