Information from a source that helps us test a claim.
source
A document, object, image, or account we can examine.
inference
An explanation based on clues; it still needs checking.
migration
Moving from one place to another to live.
immigrant
A person who moves to another country to live.
estimate
An approximate amount, based on available information.
oral history
A recorded interview about someone’s memories and experiences.
community
People connected by a place, relationships, or shared activities.
ancestry
Family origins across generations.
primary source
Evidence created by someone who experienced a time or event.
Choose · notice · investigate
Island towns & planning
Zoom in on town surveys, land use, and local planning. Compare what a town map includes with what an island-wide map includes.
Showing 9 of 9 resources
Plan of Edgartown and Tisbury, made by Benjamin Smith, dated June 1, 1795. — 1795Leventhal Map & Education Center / Massachusetts Archives; Smith, Benjamin Image source ↗
historical
Edgartown and Tisbury survey
Vineyard · 1700s
Explore an island town survey made in 1795.
A question to investigate
How do the town divisions compare with today?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Plan of Chilmark made by Thomas Dunham, dated May 1831 — May 1831Leventhal Map & Education Center / Massachusetts Archives; Dunham, Thomas Image source ↗
historical
Chilmark survey
Vineyard · 1800s
Study Thomas Dunham’s 1831 town plan.
A question to investigate
What did the surveyor choose to label?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Edgartown, Duke's County, Martha's Vineyard Id., Mass — [1886?]Boston Public Library / Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center; Walker, G. H. (George H.) Image source ↗
historical
Edgartown from above
Vineyard · 1800s
Explore a bird’s-eye view of Edgartown streets, buildings, and harbor.
A question to investigate
How is a bird’s-eye view different from an overhead map?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Edgartown 1971 to 1985 land use change — published 1987–1991 (change map, second sheet).Leventhal Map & Education Center / Boston Public Library; University of Massachusetts (Amherst campus). Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, MassGIS (Office : Mass.), Massachusetts. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Image source ↗
historical
Edgartown land-use change, 1971–1985
Vineyard · 1900s
Investigate mapped changes in how land was used in Edgartown.
A question to investigate
What changes might replace open land?
Dig deeper · grades 6–8
Compare the map’s creator, date, purpose, scale, and missing information with a second map. Explain what changed and what stayed connected.
Sources checked September 23, 2026. Open the source for current programs, hours, access, and map updates. Historical maps may contain outdated language or incomplete representations of Native homelands.
