Map Exhibit Opening at Winterthur

If you are a fan of maps you may want to come to Winterthur, an excellent museum of decorative arts and garden in Wilmington, Delaware. Common Destinations: Maps in the American Experience opens tomorrow, April 20th and runs until January 5th, 2014. The exhibit takes you on a journey through American history from a time when maps were rare collectibles, conversation pieces and fashion accessories into their current ubiquitous roles.

There are six themes including maps as a social medium, maps in the lives of men, women and their role in building a sense of nation. In addition to paper maps, the exhibit also features maps on ceramics, playing cards, puzzles and handkerchiefs. There will also be a two day conference in October to reflect on the material nature of American maps before 1900.

County Lines magazine has a very good article about the exhibition and includes the pictures below showing a silk embroidery of Washington, DC,  a split pocket globe and a puzzle map of Europe.