Overview

History & Heritage

You'll see and feel the history as soon as you arrive as you're greeted by iconic buildings, landscapes, memorials and museums. History is a part of the Massachusetts cultural fabric and a big part of what makes visiting here a unique experience.

Only in the Bay State can you relive the Pilgrims’ perilous journey and struggle to survive in the New World at Plimoth Plantation. Clamber aboard the decks of the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") in Charlestown. Stand on Lexington Green and imagine the scene as the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired on April 19, 1775. Then travel forward in time and explore Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830s New England village.

Interested in the Industrial Revolution, the whaling industry, the Shaker movement? There’s a lot more to explore.

• Heritage Trails
• Lighthouses
• Museums & Sites
• National Parks
• Tours