logo

Mapping Thoreau Country

This site uses historical maps to organize and display primary materials related to Thoreau's travels throughout Massachusetts. Clicking on highlighted locations will open new pages containing explanatory notes, images, quotes, and links to additional resources that illuminate Thoreau's remarkable contributions to American political, social, economic, and environmental thought. [Site development in progress.]

Learn More
  • 34 641
  • 63 484
  • 73 537
  • 83 703
  • 90 601
  • 90 401
  • 104 567
  • 118 646
  • 138 630
  • 145 595
  • 167 593
  • 127 57
  • 142 376
  • 180 612
  • 209 416
  • 127 531
  • 145 497
  • 151 425
  • 179 454
  • 279 840
  • 298 861
  • 308 722
  • 338 877
  • 425 621
  • 552 878
  • 50 60

  • Newburyport

    Thoreau lectured on his excursions to Cape Cod at Market Hall in Newburyport on December 6, 1850. Read more...

  • Chelmsford

    The Thoreau family lived in Chelmsford from 1818-1821. Read more...

  • Lowell

    The city of Lowell played a significant role in Thoreau's life, both as a place where he lectured multiple times and as an archetype of industrial expansion. Read more...

  • Gloucester

    On December 20, 1848, Thoreau delivered "Economy-Illustrated by the Life of a Student," an early Walden lecture, at the Gloucester Lyceum. Read more...

  • South Danvers

    Thoreau delivered a lecture on his travels on Cape Cod at the South Danvers Lyceum on February 18, 1850. Read more...

  • Fitchburg

    Thoreau gave a lecture entitled "Walking, or the Wild" in Fitchburg on February 3, 1857. Read more...

  • Bedford

    Thoreau gave his lecture on "Wild Apples" at the Bedford Lyceum on February 14, 1860. Read more...

  • Salem

    Nathaniel Hawthorne arranged for Thoreau to lecture in Salem on two occasions, first on November 22, 1848 and again on February 28, 1849. Read more...

  • Lynn

    Thoreau delivered "Autumnal Tints" at Frazier Hall in Lynn on April 26, 1859. Read more...

  • Medford

    Thoreau read "Economy," a lecture that evolved into a chapter in Walden, in Medford on January 22, 1851.

  • Cambridge

    Thoreau lived in Cambridge while attending Harvard College from 1833 to 1837 and returned often to borrow books and maps from the library. Read more...

  • Pittsfield

    In 1844, after spending a night on Mt. Greylock, Thoreau hiked to Pittsfield to meet Ellery Channing for an excursion to the Catskills. Read more...

  • Mt. Wachusett

    After Thoreau traveled to Mt. Wachusett with Richard Fuller in July 1842, he turned his notes into "A Walk to Wachusett," published in 1843. Read more...

  • Boston

    Thoreau delivered several lectures in Boston between 1844 and 1859, serving once as a last-minute replacement for Frederick Douglass. Read more...

  • Worcester

    Thoreau lectured more frequently in Worcester than in any other place except Concord. Read more...

  • Lincoln

    Thoreau spent considerable time in nearby Lincoln including six weeks in 1837 when he lived in a small hut with Charles Wheeler on the shore of Flint's Pond. Read more...

  • Concord

    Explore Thoreau's doings in Concord...

  • Clinton

    On January 1, 1851, Thoreau lectured in Clinton in response to an invitation from the Bigelow Charitable Mechanics Institute.

  • Framingham

    Thoreau delivered a fiery speech, "Slavery in Massachusetts, here on July 4, 1854. Read more...

  • Provincetown

    Between 1849 and 1857, Thoreau walked the length of Cape Cod four times and recorded a wealth of observations that he turned into various lectures, as well a book-length travelogue that was published posthumously. Read more...

  • Truro

    Thoreau lodged at the Highland Lighthouse in Truro from July 6 to July 18, 1855 while he collected plant specimens and studied the history and culture, and natural features of Cape Cod. Read more...

  • Plymouth

    Coming soon

  • Wellfleet

    Coming soon

  • New Bedford

    Thoreau delivered one of his most popular lectures, "What Shall It Profit," at the New Bedford Lyceum on December 26, 1854. Read more...

  • Nantucket

    Thoreau delivered "What Shall It Profit," a lecture that evolved over many years, at the Nantucket Lyceum on December 28, 1854. Read more...

  • Mount Greylock

    Thoreau made his first trip to Mt. Greylock in 1844. Read more...