That is an interesting topic! There is a story in Wilbur Siebert's "The 
Underground Railroad: From Slavery To Freedom" (1898) of a Mr. Leonard 
who lived in Albany and was converted to abolitionism. So he moved from 
Albany to Chattanooga and put maps on the walls of a store he opened 
there and found reasons to discuss the maps with enslaved people that 
came in to his store on errands from slave-holders. I always thought 
that was strange but if this was a common practice to put up maps in 
public buildings it was not so odd and would not have been questioned.

Paul Stewart Albany, NY

Quoting David Allen <[log in to unmask]>:

> I am investigating the distribution and use of maps in New York between  1750
> - 1830.  One of the subjects that interests me is the extent to which  maps
> were displayed at that time in public buildings, such as taverns,  libraries,
> museums, and courthouses.  Does anyone know of  specific  instances of maps
> being put on public display at that time?  Any  information at all would be
> helpful.
>
> David Allen
> Encinitas, CA
>
>