WardMaps

Was excited to buy some Ashmont station mugs for my sisters as stocking stuffers. While visiting their online store, I accidentally ordered coin banks instead of mugs. Nice, but not what I wanted. Not only did Steve exchange my gifts in time for Christmas, he did not charge me to ship out the mugs. I LOVE these mugs and so will my sisters! Now THAT is great customer service!

I love this place. It’s the perfect place for some fun and unique Boston gifts. The various prints of Boston and the world make great gifts.

Pretty awesome place that sells not only maps, but tons of MBTA related stuff.
Besides the usual MBTA goodies like t-​shirts, keychains, coin banks, and magnets, if you’ve got some real cash to burn, you can buy used bus stop signs, signs that used to be in various subway stations around Boston, or roll signs that used to be on old subway/​light rail equipment.
My personal faves are the MBTA messenger bags, the black and white T trucker hat, and one of several books available about the history of the T. Of course, I would’ve LOVED to buy the rollsign mechanism from the recently-​retired Blue Line subway cars but they were asking for a good chunk of change on that one.
They can also make replica signs of most stations in the MBTA system.
Parking in the area can be tricky, but I think its definitely worth the trouble if you are a rapid transit or map buff.

For the map-​obsessed, the MBTA-​obsessed, or the Boston history-​obsessed (or for those showing symptoms of all three obsessions) this place is pure heaven. Like, they could charge a cover and people would still come here kind of heaven.
I came in to grab a T station magnet for my friend’s birthday, but gave myself plenty of time to browse… and I needed it. I thought I’d be most interested by the T memorabilia, of which there was plenty (including real, old station signs that cost some serious dough, along with new, more affordable MBTA-​licensed memorabilia like magnets, mugs, toy trolleys, shirts, etc.), but the old maps were the most interesting. They have a healthy collection of vintage maps from Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge, along with maps of locations all over the country and world. So. Effing. Cool. The vintage maps are pricey, but they’d make an awesome gift for a map-​lover or just an extremely awesome conversation piece if you’ve got some dollars to spare. They also have a really great vintage postcard collection – mostly from the Boston area, but also from other cities, like Paris – and a small but mighty selection of transit-​related books.
Lastly– I really appreciate the super knowledgeable and passionate staff. These people love working here (I can’t blame them), and it shows!

Over this past summer I made a large purchase at wardmaps in cambridge and was treated tremendously by Brian and steven Even though the store can be busy they always treated me courteously and respect while also keeping their store clean and organized for their patrons who visit greeting each and every person with a smile because of my several positive experiences and interactions with them both in the store and warehouse our family will definitely return to their store for future pieces of transit history and memorabilia

Very impressive shop. Maps and trains have always been of interest to me, so I’m clearly predisposed to places like this, but Ward Maps was about what I was expecting and then some. I was unfortunately pressed for time when I visited, but I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the vintage road maps and assorted collection of MBTA history over the years. I would definitely like to make a return trip sometime, as I feel I could spend hours in here looking over their maps from all over the country and world. Prices seemed quite reasonable too, considering the age on some of the materials. It is truly wonderful that a store like this exists in the Boston area.

Very helpful staff and a great variety of options. I’m sure I’ll be a repeat customer!

very helpful staff, surprisingly large selection in their online store

This is a seriously cool shop. I went in with questions about some maps I own and Matt and Co. were very eager to help.
I didn’t buy anything, but I will! It is a map geek’s dream. All the MBTA logo-​ed gear and geo-​nerd stuff make great gifts and souvenirs.

WardMaps has a very large and constantly growing collection of genuine historical maps, and excellent quality reproductions. The staff is eager to help you find whatever you are looking for, though their website is also easy to navigate. Prints can be ordered online for as low as $ 14.95. Everything is available as is or professionally framed.
Coasters, ornaments, stationery and anything else you can print a map onto are available in the shop, as well as genuine street signs, T station signs, etc.

I’m not sure if this is the most accurate business name in the history of accurate business names, or the most misleading business name in the history of misleading business names.
WardMaps is full of stuff. Just not all maps.
Yes, maps are on everything, but it isn’t just maps.
You’ve got shirts and baby onesies, magnets and signs, iPhone covers and toy trains. Basically, its a collection of awesome stuff you’ll be happy to give as a gift to someone.
Of course, they also have maps of Boston, the MBTA, other cities, books about maps, books about cities, books about trains and more maps. Classic maps, current maps, foreign maps, photographed maps, hand-​drawn maps, printed maps and even painted maps.
It’s worth a visit, even if nothing but to thumb through some beautiful old maps.

This place is awesome. They have a bunch of antique maps and reproduction maps organized by geographical area. As expected they have tons of Boston area maps, but they have maps of everywhere else as well (though just not as many). I got an antique 1897 map of Arizona that I’m pretty excited about.
If it’s Boston area antique maps you’re looking for the possibilities are endless, all types of maps at all scales.
I also got a cute coaster with an old Boston map printed on it.
Definitely recommend.

WardMaps is a very small, unique and niche store which, as you might have guessed it by it’s name sells maps. And various other street and MBTA memorabilia as well.
From mugs, magnets and t-​shirts to small and larger maps, they’ll have you covered and they can also custom-​print specific maps from their online (and offline) databases as well which can make for some very unique and interesting presents.
The friendly and helpful staff will assist you as you geek out and can also answer any of your questions as well as give you quotes for miscellaneous jobs that they can provide. All in all, I’ve had good experiences there and love to walk and peruse their selection and geek out.
As far as the location and convenience, the store is located right on Massachusetts avenue, outside of Porter Square and almost in between Porter and Harvard. It’s a pretty convenient location however finding parking in the area can be tricky.

I love to hate the T, but I can’t hate this store! So many coold MBTA memorabilia and old timey maps and current maps.
Just a cool store to browse and maybe buy a map, mug, t shirt, etc.
Small store but has so many cool things to buy!

Ward Maps is a pretty awesome place.
If anyone you know is into travel, maps, subways, old things, coasters. It is a great place for little gift ideas (or big ones)
All of the coasters in my apartment come from here. The stuff is really unique and make great souvenirs, way better than any of the lame Boston themed stuff you find at tourist gift shops downtown.

Insert «panicked Professor Frink noise» here
I am going to spend all of my money here if I am not careful.
Ward Maps Boston has some of the coolest old photos, maps, MBTA memorabilia and assorted old Boston randomness you’ll ever find under one roof. Their selection of old photos is huge, and most are matted for framing already. They offer in-​house framing for their larger maps and photos, and will do so for a reasonable price. Many of the photographs are indexed by town, as are the maps, so if you’re looking for that 1885 photo of Bricka Square, you might just find it.
The actual MBTA artifacts are pricey, but for original memorabilia from the nation’s oldest public transportation system, you’d expect that. They also sell reproductions of any MBTA station sign, so you can hang an actual CHINATOWN sign on your wall and have it look legit.
For real though. I am going to need a locator bracelet on myself, and I’m going to give the receiver to you. If it starts beeping, that means I’m at Ward Maps again spending all my money, and you should press the big red button to deliver a shock to my ankle.

Gotta say, the stuff here is awesome if you are into transit or maps (or both) — they run the MBTA online gift shop, so the store is full of MBTA-​centric gifts from ipad covers, to place-​mats, books, train models and subway car ornaments, and actual and reproduction station signage and surplus equipment (dead-man’s lever, anyone?)
There are also tons of original and reproduction ward maps and maps from around the world.
Great stuff, but wow, talk about rude. We spent a good 30 minutes wandering around, looking at items, and not once did the clerk on duty say a thing. Not «Hello, let me know if i can help you», he didn’t chime in when we said things like «I wonder what this is» or «is this original» loud enough so he cold hear it.
Oh, he did say «thanks for stopping by» as we were halfway out the door.
My partner was interested in several things, and might have bought something, but has a pet peeve about not buying from rude salespeople. Heads up to the owners: explain to your staff the importance of being friendly.
This place is amazing, unique and a definite find, and would get 5 stars unreservedly if not for the attitude, shyness or whatever it was — if you don’t like people, don’t work in a shop!
—
Followup: in addition to the reply below, Steven followed up with me personally to find out when we came in and reiterated to me he stresses to his staff to greet each customer. Good followup, though i stand by my initial review. Maybe next time it will be a 5 :)

Awesome. unique… great staff.
Owned by two brothers who are into antique maps and train memorabilia, this place is by far one of the coolest shops in the Boston area. I have a lot of period maps from there and they have a great local area selection so you can usually find your neighborhood! They do framing too and when all is said and done the bottom line is very reasonable!

What a fantastic store this is. I was walking around Porter Square one day and my nerdy inhibitions kicked in when I saw a map store. Cambridge can do that to you. Seriously, how lame can someone be that they are so inclined to stroll into a damn map store? Well, no matter how lame it sounds, I am glad I took the leap of faith.
This place is stocked with some truly awesome Boston memorabilia. You want a model of a T car? Well, you can get one here. You want a magnet for just about any T stop or landmark in the city of Boston, you can get one. You want some Boston-​ish style tote bags, coasters, mugs, or calendars? You can get em. You want a paper wallet that has the T map printed on it? Hell, you can get that too. And if you don’t have the gonads to swipe one of those giant T maps from an actual T station while hammered in the middle of the night, you can legally purchase one here. I guess they have some relationship with the MBTA that allows them to get a hold of things like that to sell to the public.
Unfortunately, I am not a map expert and cannot speak to the authenticity, quality, and quantity of selection of their maps. What I can tell you is this store has a crap-​load of maps from different parts of the world as well as time periods. Their merchandise is worth checking out. If you are looking to grab a nice souvenir for a friend or even your greedy self, do everyone a favor and skip out on the cheesy crap that you will find in the malls and in faneuil hall. The stuff here is much more unique and interesting.

When it’s becoming increasingly commonplace to reach instinctively for your mobile device when determining your course, plotting your path or locating one landmark in relation to another, a wonderland like Ward Maps is like a shop lined with vinyl in a world of digital downloads. In one small, clean, well-​organized space, the folks at Ward can not only tell you where we’ve come from, but also where we’re going.
Beyond the obvious draw for map and geography geeks among the many prints and careful reproductions, are coasters, bags, magnets and mugs printed with local neighborhood and city themes. The sole employee there gave me the background on where some different prints came from and was super helpful is pulling down my final purchase decision, which was clearly out-​of-​reach. A little more than $ 30 later, I left with a sleek silk-​screened print of a modern/​pictoral map of NYC for best friend who just moved into her first apartment in Chelsea. Total win.