A colleague who is writing a book on the Hudson River suggests this map expert as a potential source on this question: Try contacting Paul Cohen, author of Manhattan in Maps. He can be reached at [log in to unmask] Charles P. Henderson Executive Director ARIL / CrossCurrents www.crosscurrents.org 475 Riverside Dr. Suite 1945 New York, NY 10115 212-870-2544 -----Original Message----- From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Stewart Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:08 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [NYHIST-L] Maps in Public Buildings 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 > >