Beginner's Guide to Massachusetts

Martha's Vineyard - Paradise in Massachusetts

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The Vineyard's pleasant summers and plentiful beaches make it a favorite vacation spot for many tourists, including famous individuals like the Clintons, Bill Gates, James Taylor, and Princess Diana. (However, the Islanders have a local custom that celebrities are to be treated just like everyone else, and paparazzi are not allowed.) Many celebrated movies have also been made on this paradisiacal part of Massachusetts.

Six towns comprise the Vineyard - Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah - and they each have exciting annual events, such as Edgartown's 4th of July fireworks and Oak Bluffs' Monster Shark Tournament. Some scenic locales to check out include Menemsha Harbor (breathtaking location of the sunset on the island), Edgartown Lighthouse, Katama Bay (perfect for kayaking), The Flying Horses Carousel, Martha's Vineyard Ferry Dock, Beach Chop Lighthouse, and more.

Massachusetts - History and Overview

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The northeastern Commonwealth of Massachusetts (US Postal Service - MA) is part of the New England area of the United States. Although it is small in geographic size, it has approximately 6.5 million residents, the majority of whom live in the eastern half rather than the western rural portion of the state. Massachusetts also contains the main urban area of the New England region - Boston.

Massachusetts has a rich history starting before even the beginning of the United States, and that same history has impacted the United States greatly in religious and political ways. It is known as a place of sanctuary for those with liberal worldviews and progressive ideas, and many famous individuals - primarily politicians - have hailed from Massachusetts.

Massachusetts's Geography

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Massachusetts, part of the northeastern conglomeration known as "New England," is surrounded by New Hampshire and Vermont to the North, New York to the west, Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, and no state on the east - only the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts is called "the Bay State" because of the large bays that create its coastline: Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, and Narragansett Bay. The peninsula Cap Cod also helps create the unique coastline of Massachusetts; it's a large, slimly shaped peninsula on the southeast corner of the state. Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are islands to the south of Cape Cod.

Charles River is Massachusetts's longest river contained entirely within the state, and at its mouth lays Boston - the state's largest city, with a population of almost 6 million people in the metropolitan area (though most of those people live in the highly populated suburban area, not the city). In fact, most of Eastern Massachusetts is highly populated, while Western Massachusetts, as a whole, is rural. The west of Massachusetts is probably the most rural of the state; the Berkshires are located there - the western border of the state, formed by the Appalachian Mountains.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is made up of 14 counties - Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. Within these counties are 50 cities and 301 towns.

History of Massachusetts

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The history of Massachusetts pre-dates the times of English settlers in North America; however, its distinct importance in American history begins with Colonial Massachusetts. It was the most important northern colony, and uncountable American institutions, legislation, and traditions have been established there. The Pilgrims first settled there in Plymouth Colony, while the Puritans settled Salem and Boston.

As time passed and the people of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (formerly the Puritans) began to become known as Yankees, the church that they had begun continued to control the little towns that Massachusetts was built around. However, toward the end of the colonial period, other churches began to emerge - Baptist, Anglican, Unitarian, and more.

During the 1670's Massachusetts won several battles with Indian tribes in King Philip's War and later fought in the French and Indian War, with Britain as its ally. As the American Revolution began to approach, Massachusetts was a headquarters for freedom events and acted as a catalyst for the war with its Boston Tea Party. Other infamous battles taking place in Massachusetts during the Revolution included the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Siege of Boston, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the War for Independence, John Hancock, whose signature on the Declaration is so famous, became the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts has always seemed to be in the forefront of new legislation and movements, as well as in limelight for scandal. In 1788 Massachusetts was the 6th state to accept and ratify the US Constitution, and they were the first state to abolish slavery. During the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of the initial African-American divisions to fight for the military of the United States. In 2002 Massachusetts became infamous for its Roman Catholic priests having sexually molested children and then covering up the abuse with the help of the diocese. Later in the 2000s, Massachusetts became the first (and currently the only) state to legalize same-sex marriage. In general, it is known as a place of sanctuary for those with liberal worldviews and progressive ideas.

The People of Massachusetts

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In 1790 the census taken in Massachusetts showed that 378,787 people lived in the commonwealth. As of 2004, the state had nearly 6.5 million residents, including approximately 881,000 foreign-born inhabitants. Most of these people live in Greater Boston and the east half of Massachusetts. Western Massachusetts is for the most part rural.

The population of Massachusetts is made of a variety of racial, ancestral, and religious backgrounds. 81.99% of the people of Massachusetts are White, while Hispanics make up the largest minority group with 6.8%. 5.4% identify themselves as Black, 3.8% Asian, 2.3 mixed race, and 0.2% Native American. The five largest groups of ancestry of the people of Massachusetts are Irish (the state has one of the highest populations of those with Irish ancestry in the nation), Italian (Massachusetts also has one of the highest populations of Italians), English, French, and German. Other notable ancestries are Greek and Polish. There is also a small reservation of the Wampanoag Native American tribe located at Aquinnah and an unofficial reservation at Mashpee.

Originally, Massachusetts was filled with steadfast Puritans. However, Protestantism now comprises less than a third of the claimed religions of the state's population. Still, those same Protestants do continue to play a large role in the finance, business, art, education, and cultural preservation of the state. The largest religious grouping in Massachusetts is now Catholic, due to the high levels of migrations from Ireland, Italy, Puerto Rico, and other primarily Catholic areas. Those who directly descended from the Puritans now belong to several denominations; two with notable presences are the Congregational/United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Both of these are known for their ardent defense of social justice, civil rights, and political issues like slavery, women's rights and the right to gay marriage. As of 2001, the people of Massachusetts identified their religions as this:

• Christian - 79%
o Catholic - 47%
o Protestant - 31%
 Congregational/United Church of Christ - 4%
 Baptist - 4%
 Episcopal - 3%
 Methodist - 2%
 Pentecostal - 2%
 Other Protestant or general Protestant - 16%
 Latter-day Saint 1%
o Other Christian - 1%
• Jewish - 2%
• Unitarian - 1%
• Other Religions - 1%
• Non-Religious - 17%

There are numbers of people leaving Massachusetts for a variety of reasons - about 40,000 a year. Many young individuals arriving at a working age as well as migrants and professionals are leaving for New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, and other areas in the Midwest, Southeast and West. One of the major reasons that many of these people quote as their cause for leaving Massachusetts is the high housing cost (the state has the third most expensive market in the US). Other factors included the need for better jobs, taxes, the desire for a safer place to raise kids, traffic, and more. For the most part, these same individuals identify themselves as pleased with their relocation and announce that they enjoy a higher level of public courtesy in their new places of residence.

Famous People from Massachusetts

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Many famous individuals including United States politicians and other public figures have hailed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The list includes these well-known names:

• John Hancock (President of the Continental Congress)
• Samuel Adams (Revolutionary War patriot)
• Benjamin Franklin (Revolutionary War patriot)
• John Adams (2nd President)
• Elbridge Gerry (5th Vice President)
• John Quincy Adams (6th President)
• Henry Wilson (18th Vice President/US Senator)
• Calvin Coolidge (30th President)
• John F. Kennedy (35th President)
• George H. W. Bush (41st President)
• Robert F. Kennedy (US Senator)
• Paul Tsongas (US Senator)
• John W. McCormack (Speaker of the House of Representatives)
• Tip O'Neill (Speaker of the House of Representatives)
• Theodore Sedgwick (Speaker of the House of Representatives)
• Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr. (Supreme Court Justice)

Other individuals from the state have also been well known for their inventions of popular sports. Some of note are candlepin bowling, basketball, and volleyball.

Massachusetts - The People and the Culture Overview

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The people of Massachusetts live in a land rich with history, culture, and their very own flavor of life. One of the nation's seats of historical impact and political movement, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has always placed high emphasis on the education of its people, which is why there are numerous colleges and universities located in the state. Massachusetts also always has people moving in and out of its borders. Because of this, the diversity - racial, political, and religious - is evident to all.

Unique personality is simply a part of the culture that residents of this important state recognize and accept. Many important politicians and notable public figures have come from Massachusetts, and individuals from the state have also been known for some of their inventions - such as the popular sports of candlepin bowling, basketball, and volleyball. Massachusetts has even been at the forefront of some of the most important social movement in recent history like abolishing slavery and fighting for women's rights. It seems that the US, and sometimes the world, has taken their cues from this geographically small but mentally huge Commonwealth. The fact is simple - the culture in Massachusetts is rich and unique, a tribute to the long history of the state.

Politics - An Intricate Part of Massachusetts's Culture

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is without question a political state. It has been at the forefront of state and national movements since its colonial times, and it has the oldest written Constitution still in use of any government in the entire world.

Though in its history Massachusetts boasted a conservative social perspective, that position is not reflective of its current culture. In general, it is known as a place of sanctuary for those with liberal worldviews and progressive ideas. Home to the Kennedy family and consistent supporter of the Democratic Party, the state has been called the "archetype of liberalism." Massachusetts has always seemed to be in the forefront of new legislation and social movements. In 1788 Massachusetts was the 6th state to accept and ratify the US Constitution, and they were the first state to abolish slavery. During the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was one of the initial African-American divisions to fight for the military of the United States. In the 2000s, Massachusetts became the first (and currently the only) state to legalize same-sex marriage.

The people of Massachusetts are proud of their place in United States political society. In fact, the list of politicians that have hailed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is large, especially considering the small geographical size of the state. It includes these well-known names:

Education in Massachusetts - A Priority

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As one of the oldest areas in the United States, Massachusetts has almost always played an important part in the formation of the country's people and culture. While much of this was its influence in politics, another large factor was Massachusetts's mandate to its people to produce and develop quality educational systems. In fact, the very first piece of legislation passed in the state, in 1647, was the Old Deluder Satan Act which required a public education system. This act
later became part of the state constitution, demonstrating the importance that was felt by the people of Massachusetts in regard to educating their citizens.

The country's oldest high school - Boston Latin School - is located in Massachusetts, as is Harvard University - the country's oldest university - and Boston Public Library - the country's oldest public library. The state also contains many of the US's most well known and high quality preparatory schools, colleges, and universities, though less than 3% of the population of the United States lives in the Commonwealth. Even in the mere space of greater Boston, there are located 62 colleges. Some of the renowned schools located in Massachusetts include the following:

• Amherst College
• Berklee College of Music
• Bentley College
• Boston College
• Boston University
• Brandeis University
• College of the Holy Cross
• Emerson College
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts College of Art
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Mount Holyoke College
• Northeastern University
• Tufts University
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Massachusetts Boston
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The state of Massachusetts was among the top schools in scores on advanced placement tests (in 2004, it was first in science and math state scores), and it also boasts one of the lowest rates in the United States of high school dropouts. It also has the second highest rate in the US of students who continue to college after their graduation from high school. It is clear that the people of Massachusetts make their educational system a high priority, and this same educational system molds their culture.

Migration - How It has Impacted the People of Massachusetts

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As of 2004, the state of Massachusetts had nearly 6.5 million residents, and approximately 881,000 of these were foreign-born inhabitants who migrated to the state. In many ways because of this immigration, the population of Massachusetts is made of a variety of racial and ancestral backgrounds. 81.99% of the people of Massachusetts are White, while Hispanics make up the largest minority group with 6.8%. 5.4% identify themselves as Black, 3.8% Asian, 2.3 mixed race, and 0.2% Native American. The five largest groups of ancestry of the people of Massachusetts are Irish (the state has one of the highest populations of those with Irish ancestry in the nation), Italian (Massachusetts also has one of the highest populations of Italians), English, French, and German. Other notable ancestries are Greek and Polish. There is also a small reservation of the Wampanoag Native American tribe located at Aquinnah and an unofficial reservation at Mashpee.

However, though many people move to Massachusetts each year - either from other states or other countries - there are also high numbers of people leaving the state - about 40,000 a year. Many young individuals arriving at a working age as well as migrants and professionals are leaving for New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, and other areas in the Midwest, Southeast and West. One of the major reasons that many of these people quote as their reason for leaving Massachusetts is the high housing cost (the state has the third most expensive market in the US). Other factors included the need for better jobs, taxes, the desire for a safer place to raise kids, traffic, and more. For the most part, these same individuals identify themselves as pleased with their relocation and announce that they enjoy a higher level of public courtesy in their new places of residence.

Massachusetts's Church - the Religion of the People

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Religion has always been a large part of the culture of the people of Massachusetts. In fact, the colonies originally settled in Massachusetts were formed for largely religious reasons. At that time, Massachusetts was filled with steadfast Puritans. However, Protestantism now comprises less than a third of the claimed religions of the state's population. Still, those same Protestants do continue to play a large role in the finance, business, art, education, and cultural preservation of the state.

The largest religious grouping in Massachusetts is now Catholic, due to the high levels of migrations from Ireland, Italy, Puerto Rico, and other primarily Catholic areas. Those who directly descended from the Puritans now belong to several denominations; two with notable presences are the Congregational/United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Both of these are known for their ardent defense of social justice, civil rights, and political issues like slavery, women's rights and the right to gay marriage. As of 2001, the people of Massachusetts identified their religions as this:

Massachusetts - A One to Three Day Itinerary Overview

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a gold mine of history, culture, and vacation fun. It is where Pilgrims first arrived in modern United States. It is wear the infamous Boston Tea Party was hosted. It is the location of the births, deaths, and services of many well-known public figures. It is on the list of the top 10 whale watching spots in the world. It is home to Martha's Vineyard, one of the most popular vacation spots in the U.S. You will certainly be able to fill a one to three day itinerary - easily - when visiting Massachusetts. In fact, your primary job will probably be to eliminate ideas. If you need help deciding, though, here are a few standard options:

• Visit a few exciting Massachusetts attractions.
• Explore parks throughout Massachusetts.
• Check out a favorite vacation area in Massachusetts.

Visit a Few Exciting Massachusetts Attractions

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Whether you're looking for a history lesson, a romantic cruise, or something in between, Massachusetts has it for you. Not only is the state rich with the heritage of our country, but it is also a unique locale to visit - with its own dialect and slang, activities and attractions. Hope on a trolley, travel on a "duck," or rent a cab, and start exploring! If you aren't sure what you want to do and would like a list of possibilities, check out the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism or a visitor's center in the state. Here are just a few of the famous and fabulous opportunities in Massachusetts.

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This fun little shopping center is located right in the middle of Boston, surrounded by the most popular attractions of the city.
• Boston Classical Orchestra. For tickets starting at $29, you can enjoy a performance unlike any other - live classical music that will both soothe and energize you.
• New England Aquarium. Meet penguins or other exotic animals in what appear to be their natural habitats. This aquarium, located in Boston, offers excitement and learning to adults and kids alike.
• Duck Tours. These amphibious vehicles move from streets to the river on tours unlike any other.
• Odyssey Cruises. Whether you want a party for two or two hundred, these cruises are available for lunch, brunch and dinner, and offer only the best in cuisine and ambiance.
• Bay State Cruise Company. Another cruise service, this tour connects Boston, Provincetown, and Cape Cod. There are even summer music cruises available on weekends!

Other great options include the JFK Library, the New England Holocaust Memorial, Heritage Plantation, Boston Freedom Trail, and more.

Explore Parks throughout Massachusetts

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Hiking, picnicking, exploring the beach, dirt biking, bird watching, and studying history. Each of these activities and more can be participated in at national parks - of which there are many in Massachusetts. For those interested in visiting and exploring a variety of natural areas (all under the control of the National Park Service) in Massachusetts while on a one to three day vacation there, here are some options and where they're located:

• Longfellow National Historic Site (Cambridge)
• Lowell National Historical Park (Lowell)
• Minute Man National Historical Park (Concord)
• Boston African American National Historic Site (Boston)
• New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (New Bedford)
• Westfield Wild and Scenic River (Westfield)
• Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (Saugus)
• Essex National Heritage Area (Salem)
• Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Brookline)
• John F. Kennedy National Historic Site (Brookline)
• Cape Cod National Seashore (Cape Cod)
• Springfield Armory National Historic Site (near Springfield)
• Adams National Historical Park (near Quincy)
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers
• Boston Harbor Islands
• Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor

Check Out a Favorite Vacation Area of Massachusetts

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Western Massachusetts

While most of Eastern Massachusetts is highly populated, Western Massachusetts, as a whole, is rural. In fact, the west of Massachusetts is probably the most rural of the state; the Berkshires are located there - the western border of the state, formed by the Appalachian Mountains.

Because of the rugged terrain and relatively small numbers of people living in Western Massachusetts, the area is well known for its diverse cross country skiing opportunities - opportunities that are unmatched anywhere. From quaint mountain lodges to classy Berkshire mansions and farms, the country in Western Massachusetts is absolutely gorgeous terrain to explore, especially if you're on ski slopes or back country tracks. Most areas also welcome snowboarders and snowshoers. Decide how long you'd like to ski and where, and you can probably purchase a package that will include your resort or lodge, skiing, and possibly more - all for one low cost.

Boston

The city of Boston has incredible historical significance not only for New England but also for the entire United States. Most of the early residents of Boston were Puritans, and their emphasis on public education and independence shaped what Massachusetts itself and the United States would become. Not only was the Boston Tea Party one of the major events to begin the War of Independence, but even in the mere space of greater Boston, there are also located 62 colleges.

The city is now an exciting area to live and visit and a great stop on a short vacation. They have a culture that is unique to that area of the United States including a specific dialect and accent that have often been called Boston English and Boston slang. They also love their regional foods, which focus largely on seafood and dairy products. Among sites of interest in and around Boston are the Frog Pond in the Boston Common, Back Bay, Freedom Trail, Esplanade Park, the Boston Public Library (oldest library in the US), the John Hancock Tower, and more.

Martha's Vineyard

Cape Cod

The island of Cape Cod, north of Martha's Vineyard, is divided into four sections - the Upper Cape, the Mid-Cape, the Lower Cape, and the Outer Cape.
• The Upper Cape. This is the portion of Cape Cod that is nearest the mainland of Massachusetts. The most commonly used ferry to Martha's Vineyard is also located in the Upper Cape.
• The Mid-Cape. Many breathtakingly beautiful Cape Cod beaches are located here.
• The Lower Cape. This is the narrowest part of Cape Cod, and it is comprised of lovely scenery and incredible sunsets.
• The Outer Cape. Some of the highest ranked American beaches, including the Coast Guard, are located on the Outer Cape. It is also believed that the Pilgrims originally landed on Eastham's Nauset beach, not Plymouth Rock.

In addition to its historical distinction as the landing site of Pilgrims, Cape Cod now holds the honor of being a top tourist destination in the United States. Though the island actually has a steady population of 230,000, their tourist population increases dramatically between Memorial Day and Labor Day (which demonstrates clearly that it has to be a wonderful place to spend your one to three day vacation!). Many businesses even open and close based on when the tourists will be on the island, during the comfortable New England summer. Fun things to do while visiting include experiencing some of the Cape products, like the shellfish, lobster, and cranberries, or to go whale watching.