Massachusetts

Massachusetts rises from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to 3,489’ (Mount Greylock).

Former Society for the Suppression of Vice

Mass. is 25.7% water.

In 1878, the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice was established- later renamed the Watch and Ward Society.  Its goal was to suppress “all agencies tending to corrupt the morals of youth.”  It first fought crime and corruption, but later banned the sale of many books and plays, thus the phrase “banned in Boston.”

By 1920, 64% of the population were foreign-born and their children.

Stanley Steamer

From 1897-1924, the Stanley Steamer was manufactured in Mass.; the traffic became so bad, the 1^st subway in the U.S. was opened under the Boston Common.

Rocks along the Connecticut R. have 200 million year old dinosaur tracks.

In the Berkshires is a natural bridge of white marble formed by wind and glaciers.

Mass. is #2 in U.S. production of cranberries (behind Wisconsin).

Mass. cranberry bog

Lowell’s Cambodian population is the 2^nd largest in the U.S.; Mass. has the 3^rd largest Haitian population in the U.S.

Mass. has an official state cookie (chocolate chip), an official state dessert (Boston cream pie), an official state muffin (corn), an official state cat (tabby), an official state historic rock (Plymouth Rock), and an official state heroine (Deborah Sampson).

Boston cream pie

Deborah Sampson

Plymouth Rock