An analysis of one of the most remarkable documents ever published: Christopher Columbus's letter announcing the success of his first voyage to the "islands of the Indian sea"; the 1494 Basel edition also includes the first printed map of the New World.
A study of the promotion and dissolution of British power in North America, charted upon OML's copy of a "red line" map, 1755-1898.
The mapping of Route 66 reveals the road's status as a symbol for the freedom of the open road, the magic of auto travel, and the potential that lies in the American West. This online exhibition was prepared by Lucinda Hannington as part of her work for the MA in American and New England Studies, USM.
An examination of the Jefferys-Green "Map of the most Inhabited Part of New England" (1755), its origins in William Douglass' unfinished "Plan," and its use for strategic planning by Hugh, Earl Percy, British general in Boston at the start of the Revolution.
Since 1865, Mainers have erected nearly 150 monuments commemorating the Civil War, its soldiers, and the Union. This web exhibition features a few of Maine's more prominent monuments and compares and contrasts monument styles and locations. The images in this exhibition are courtesy of Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the text was prepared by Lucinda Coombs, a graduate student in USM's American and New England Studies.
Judith McCarthy Robbins' journal and collected ephemera from her tourist-class voyage in 1965 aboard the Cunard Line’s Sylvania, to and from New York to Liverpool, are used to explore the character of ocean-liner travel after the introduction of transatlantic air services. In particular, her journal reflects the feelings of dislocation and isolation commonly experienced by travelers as they crossed the ocean between the continents. Prepared by Matthew O. Carter (BA in History and Classics, University of Southern Maine, 2014).
The Osher Map Library has in its possession an impressive assortment of Atlases, maps, and related materials cover the years from just prior to the formation of the Soviet Union all the way up until its downfall. The majority of the materials are in Russian, but some are multi-lingual or in languages other than Russian.
We have divided our maps of the American Revolution into five categories, based on who made them and what they were made for. Most of our maps were published in London to inform the British public. Some maps in this collection were used for strategic planning and negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783. In addition to these, the library has an extensive collection of Portland maps, including maps from the Revolutionary era as well as later maps depicting local historical events.
The Challenge: Create an illustrated map of any place, real or imaginary.
The Result: Almost 150 amazing maps by Maine 5th Graders!