Atlas Collection at the State Library

Did you know that the State Library has a large collection of real estate atlases documenting the development of cities and towns in Massachusetts? Most of the Library’s atlases date from the 19th and 20th centuries and provide information about property boundaries, plot sizes, ownership, and building shapes and materials. These atlases are an invaluable resource for genealogists, environmental consultants, architectural historians, and the general public who are researching the history of a particular property in Massachusetts.

1911 Atlas of Salem

The Library’s collection of real estate atlases includes approximately 200 atlases, 167 of which have been digitized and made available in the Library’s online repository, DSpace, as well as our Flickr site. Take a look at them and see if you can find your own town in our online collection. You can also search the Library’s online catalog for atlases and other resources about your town using our advanced searchour advanced search.  If you have any questions regarding the State Library’s collection of real estate atlases, please contact our Special Collections Department at special.collections@mass.gov.

Silvia Mejia
Special Collections

The Weird World of Atlases

 Ken Jennings, author of works including Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks, recently said, “I would read the atlas for pleasure. I knew it was weird…it was weird.” Mr. Jennings may be pleasantly surprised to discover just how many people share in this interest. In 2012, the State Library of Massachusetts received funding for the Massachusetts Real Estate Atlas Digitization Project – an endeavor that would entail the cleaning, basic repair, shipping, and digitization of its extensive atlas collection. Since this project began, the increase in online access and use of this information has been astounding. As the State Library’s new Preservation Librarian, I entered the role in the midst of this ongoing venture, and have greatly enjoyed being part of improving user experience. Once the final batch of atlases returns from the digitization facility, we will work hard to make the images available through our website. My hope is that you take some time to explore your home town atlas…even if you think that’s weird...

Kelly Turner

Preservation Librarian