[Detail] The Grand Canyon. Clarence E. Dutton, 1882. 
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Collection Overview
Mapping the National Parks, a subset of Map Collections: 1500-2004, contains approximately 200 maps dating from the 17th century to the present. This collection documents the history, culture, and geological formations of areas that eventually became United States National Parks. The collection is particularly strong in early maps of the Acadia, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yellowstone National parks.
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Special Features
These online exhibits provide context and additional information about this collection.
- Maps of Acadia National Park
- Maps of Grand Canyon National Park
- Maps of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Yellowstone, the First National Park
For more ideas in exploring this collection, see the Collection Connection for Map Collections: 1500-2004.
Historical Eras
These historical era(s) are best represented in the collection although they may not be all-encompassing.
- Colonial Settlement, 1492-1763
- The American Revolution, 1763-1783
- The New Nation, 1780-1815
- Expansion and Reform, 1801-1861
- The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877
- Development of the Industrial United States, 1876-1915
- Emergence of Modern America, 1890-1930
- The Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945
- Postwar United States, 1945-early 1970s
Related Collections and Exhibits
These collections and exhibits contain thematically-related primary and secondary sources. Also browse the Collection Finder for more related material on the American Memory Web site.
- American Environmental Photographs, 1891-1936
- American Landscape and Architectural Design, 1850-1920
- Built in America, 1933-Present
- California as I Saw It: First Person Narratives, 1849-1900
- Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920
- Taking the Long View: Panoramic Photographs, 1851-1991
- Touring Turn-of-the-Century America, 1880-1920
Other Resources
Recommended additional sources of information.
- A Brief History of Mapping the National Parks
- Documentary Chronology of Selected Events in the Development of the American Conservation Movement, 1847-1920
Search Tips
Specific guidance for searching this collection
Search for National Park maps using the keyword search, keeping the selection set on "Search National Park Maps ONLY". (Otherwise, you will search all the map collections.)
To find items in this collection, search by Subject Index, Creator Index, or Title Index. To find maps by location, use the Geographic Location map of park sites or the Geographic Location Index.
For help with search words, go to the Around the World in the 1890s Subject Index.
For help with general search strategies, see Finding Items in American Memory.
Last Updated: 11/03/2009