Festival of Maps – Chicago

The ongoing Festival of Maps in Chicago [link no longer works] features the combined efforts of more than 30 cultural and scientific institutions. It portrays the significance of and reflection of maps upon culture, exploration, discovery, and the world around us. Thus, the festival incorporates the physical display of maps along with lectures, seminars and films. These combine to create a better appreciation of the field of cartography.

One of the companion efforts is an accompanying Festival of Maps Blog. It covers a variety of topics and breaking news related to the festival. Recently they provided an update on a topic of specific interest to me, Maps of the Civil War.

Scott-anaconda. Map by J.B. Elliott / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Chicago’s Field Museum and Newberry Library have combined efforts (map). They formed under the umbrella of the Festival to create the exhibit “Maps: Finding Our Place in the World.”

This will display, with relevant context, more than 130 of the most famous, significant and valuable maps in the world. They’ve billed it as”the most ambitious cartography exhibit ever in North America”. Whether you make it to Chicago or follow along online, this is an opportunity worth pursuing.


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