On the Map | Flowerdew Hundred | Declaring Independence
On the Map: The Seymour I. Schwartz Collection of
North American Maps 1500-1800
On exhibit January 28, 2008, through January 17, 2009,
in the main gallery of the Harrison Institute
In celebration of Dr. Seymour I. Schwartz’s pledged bequest of his collection of American maps, the University of Virginia Library presents "On the Map," an exhibition featuring highlights from the more than 200 rare, historic items in the collection.
"On the Map" focuses on maps of North America printed during the three centuries after European contact. These documents—spanning the Age of Exploration to the early American Republic—not only illustrate the great strides in scientific, technological, and geographical knowledge during this period, but also express the aesthetic tastes, political agendas, and economic ambitions of those who made and used maps as they shaped the modern world.
The maps in Dr. Schwartz’s collection illuminate significant aspects of the history of North America and its cartography: maps that demonstrate how 16th-century Europeans struggled to make sense of their newly expanded world; maps that made erroneous assertions which led to long-lived misperceptions about the continent; and maps that were the first to depict or name landmark features of North American geography.
Visit the On the Map exhibit website, and see the press release.
Flowerdew Hundred: Unearthing Virginia's History
A permanent exhibit at the Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature, and Culture
Featuring archaeological artifacts on loan from the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation, this exhibit presents material evidence of Virginia's early inhabitants: Native American pottery sherds; arms and armor used to defend the new colony; refined, imported wares from Europe; and American-made goods, including items manufactured by African Americans. The materials from U.Va.'s Special Collections also on display—images from sixteenth- and seventeenth-century maps and books—illustrate the importance of the historical record in the study of material culture.
Visit the Flowerdew Hundred exhibit preview site .
Declaring Independence: Creating and Re-creating America's Document
Declaration of Independence Gallery
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Declaring Independence: Creating and Re-creating America's Document displays highlights of the most comprehensive collection of letters, documents, and early printings of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition sheds light on not only the writing and signing of the Declaration, but also on its first printing, distribution across the colonies, and future impact on American history. An accompanying documentary film is available for viewing in the gallery.
Visit the Declaring Independence exhibit website .