Join us at the Library of Congress on Thursday, February 26th from 5pm to 8pm for Adventures in Topography, a special Live! at the Library event reaching new heights in terrain mapping! This event will feature a collections display, interactive games and crafts, and a talk by Tom Patterson, retired cartographer with the US National Park Service, on the history of topographic mapping techniques.
Santo Domingo is the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean islands and the oldest continuously inhabited, European-established city in the Americas. Maps spanning over five hundred years of colonial contestation in the region provide a powerful account of the city’s historical importance for European colonial ambitions in the New World.
Taking place 245 years ago this month, the Battle of Camden was a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. Through a series of battlefield maps by different cartographers, we can see how battle lines spelled disaster for American forces, but would also yield lessons to help win the war the following year.
The Geography and Map Division collections include vibrant nineteenth century maps showcasing brand new American communities and promises of the "good life" to prospective lot or home buyers. This post explores the common themes and fascinating details of these highly artistic maps designed to lure investment.
Among our collection of "bird’s-eye view" maps of U.S. and Canadian cities created from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the work Augustus Koch in particular stands out for his artistry, geographic range, and incredible cartographic detail. His maps and historical newspaper clippings relating to his work attest not only to his mastery of the form but the value of panoramic maps in instilling civic pride.
Celebrate Geography Awareness Week and GIS Day at the Library of Congress on Thursday, November 21st from 5pm to 8pm with Mapping Our World, a special Live! at the Library event diving into ocean mapping and exploration! This event will feature a collections display, interactive games and crafts, and a talk by Dr. Vicki Ferrini of Columbia University on the history of ocean mapping.
While Amos Doolittle is best known for his accurate scenes of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, his map engravings, capturing the early years of the new independent nation, deserve recognition as well.
Fascinating maps at various scales tell the story of the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, a pivotal moment in the Civil War and the contested fight for control of New Orleans and the Mississippi River.
