A People’s Map of Lowell

By Robert Forrant

A People’s Map of Lowell grew out of my work with the authors of A People’s Guide to Greater Boston, Joseph Nevins, Suren Moodliar, and Eleni Macrakis. The book (2020) reveals stories and places central to people’s lives over centuries. It takes readers to sites of oppression, resistance, organizing, and transformation in greater Boston, including Lawrence and Lowell. It also highlights tales of the places and people involved in movements to abolish slavery; to end war and militarism; to achieve Native sovereignty, racial equity, gender justice, and sexual liberation; and to secure workers’ rights.

I helped with the history of Lawrence and Lowell that made it into the book and then worked with Joe Nevins as he developed A People’s Map of Lawrence with the Lawrence History Center, illustrator Kathryn Delaney, and map designer Neil Horsky. Those three and I produced the Lowell map as the next in what will be several others over. Next up is one for Boston’s Chinatown. The book and maps were recently highlighted by Renée Loth in The Boston Globe.

The Lowell map includes a brief history of the city and the identification of 39 sites with historical significance as Lowell approaches its 200^th birthday next year. Native American, immigration, civil rights, women’s, and labor history are featured.

For anybody who wants to pick up a map, they are free and are available at Brew’d Awakening Coffee Shop, 61 Market St., Lowell General Store, 53 Market St, and lala Books, 189 Market St., in downtown Lowell. Maps are available at UMass Lowell in the History Department, 106 Dugan Hall. To support the work of the Lawrence History Center, you can purchase the Lawrence and Lowell maps through their website.