Minnesota on the Map Traveling Exhibit

The Mower County Historical Society and Austin Public Library Presents ‘Minnesota On the Map,’ a Traveling Exhibit on View from March 22 to May 17

Come visit the Mower County Historical Society from March 22 to May 17 and see “Minnesota on the Map,” a traveling exhibition that features dozens of maps ranging from Louis Hennepin’s 1683 map of the upper Mississippi River Valley to a satellite map of Minnesota produced by NASA. “Minnesota on the Map” illustrates how maps have documented and helped influence our understanding of the state, from early exploration to the present.

Drawing from the extensive map collection of the Minnesota Historical Society, the exhibit features 23 reproduction maps and atlases, a video station with commentary by local historians, and a bin of laminated maps that allows for an up-close look at Minnesota geography and history. Plus, an oversized jigsaw puzzle map of the state will provide an engaging element for schoolchildren and other young visitors.  The exhibit is based on the book “Minnesota on the Map: A Historical Atlas” by David Lanegran.

This exhibit is on temporary loan from the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul and will be traveling to venues throughout Minnesota.  The Minnesota Historical Society Traveling Exhibits Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

A local exhibit has been created by the Mower County Historical Society to run concurrently during this period.  The complimentary exhibit, Mapping Mower County: 1849-1960, uses maps to show the first 100 years or so of Mower County history.  From its initial inclusion in the first nine counties of the Territory of Minnesota to the turn of the century, maps tracked the progress and growth of the people in Mower County.  The local exhibit was made possible by a grant from Freeborn-Mower Operation Round Up and the historical society’s life members.

The exhibits will be available for viewing at the Mower County Historical Society from Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM.  Admission is $1 for the general public and free for members of the historical society and children 17 years of age or under.

For more information on the exhibits, contact the historical society at (507) 437-6082 or via email at info@mowercountyhistory.org.