Exhibition Program: Maps of Washington Open House
Join us for a tour of the exhibition The Language of Maps and special access to the museum’s collection of maps of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. These primary documents used for urban planning, exploration and navigation, and more will be on display in the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies.
Get an up-close look at a 1690 navigational chart detailing the coastline of the Chesapeake and Delaware bays. See a hand-drawn map made during the War of 1812 that shows the positions of British and American troops before the pivotal Battle of Bladensburg.
Researchers and enthusiasts alike are encouraged to use the center to discover the records and resources of this D.C. map collection.
About the Exhibition
Before the digital age, generations of explorers, governments, scientists and travelers relied on printed maps for navigation, urban planning, military strategy and more. Drawing from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, this exhibition brings together maps from the 17th to the 21st centuries, each with its own symbolic language and story. Learn more about the exhibition.
About the Center
The Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies houses a research collection of maps, illustrative prints, newspapers and ephemera relating to Washington, D.C., history, as well as a non-circulating library. The center is open to walk-in visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Learn more about the center.
About Amber “Jackie” Streker
Jackie Streker began working with the museum’s Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection in 2017 and assumed the position of curator in 2022. Streker curates exhibitions on American history with a focus on Washington, D.C. Her exhibitions include Best Laid Plans: Designs for a Capital City; Songs of the Civil War; and Treasures from the Albert H. Small Collection. She also organizes GW’s Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Symposium. She holds a bachelor’s in art history from the University of Maine, and a master’s degree in art history from GW.
How to Participate
This program will take place in person at the museum. To join the program, meet us in the Woodhull House galleries on level two for a guided tour of the exhibition The Language of Maps, followed by a visit to the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies. Space is limited, so please register in advance.