A Map of New England

This map is the only image in Wood’s travel guide.  It orients the reader to the region and allows them to better understand the descriptions that follow.  The central point on the map is Boston and the harbor.  The harbor is much larger than it is today due to the lack of landfill and expansion that occurred in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  Additionally, the map points do a number of towns that still exist today, such as Dorchester, Newton, and Watertown.  It is clear that at the time the map was drawn, there was little knowledge of the western side of the state, as there are only vague drawings of rivers. 

            One of the most important aspects of this map is the fact that it includes the locations of Native American settlements.  This follows one of the important themes of the book:  the people who live in the region.  Wood also includes these settlements later in his descriptions of the towns and villages throughout New England.  Instead of brushing over the indigenous people in the region, the first and only image in the book includes their settlements on the map.  This sets the tone for the rest of the book as one that acknowledges the native peoples as an important part of the place.