Cassandra Farrell: "Guided Tour of LVA's New Map Exhibition, 'Mapping the Commonwealth, 1816-1826'"

Presented in partnership with the California, Chicago, New York, Philip Lee Phillips, Rocky Mountain, and Texas Map Societies.

Location: Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219

Schedule:

10:00 AM (Eastern) - Coffee sponsored by the Library of Virginia Foundation

11:00 AM - Guided tour

12:00 PM - Lunch at Secret Sandwich Society, 501 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219 (attendees are responsible for their own dining expenses)

(Snow date: Saturday 1 March, 2025)

Title: Guided tour of LVA’s new map exhibition, “Mapping the Commonwealth, 1816-1826”

Speakers:  Cassandra Farrell, Exhibition Curator and Senior Map Archivist, Library of Virginia; Board Member, Washington Map Society

Summary: This exhibit tells the story of 10 years, five governors, two principal surveyors and one lead engraver — the time frame and team needed to create one of the first official state maps in the nation in the early 1800s. Between 1816 and 1822, teams of surveyors fanned out across the state to survey the individual counties. These surveys became the foundation for a general map of Virginia printed in 1826 and measuring almost 44 square feet. “A Map of the State of Virginia Constructed in Conformity to Law” (often referred to as the Wood-Bȍÿe map) was a modern map from which Virginia’s Board of Public Works could direct the Commonwealth’s internal improvements. The exhibit displays examples from 40 manuscript maps that highlight the painstaking task of creating Virginia's first official state map. Correspondence and other documents related to the publication of the map, as well as copperplates — printing plates used for engraving — will also be displayed in the exhibition.

Planning to Attend? Attendance to the coffee hour and the guided tour are free, but registration is required. Please click the orange "Register" button. Lunch will be at each person's own expense.