Lecture: Mapping Missouri: A History of the Show-me State in 40 Maps presented by Andy Hahn

In the digital age, maps are more important and accessible than ever. Today, thanks to mobile devices, maps literally tell us where we are going. But maps were just as important in the past. They not only helped people navigate the landscape, but also shaped settlement patterns, economic development, political boundaries, and visions for the future.

In Mapping Missouri: A History of the Show-Me State in 40 Maps , author Andy Hahn traces the history of Missouri from its earliest Indigenous inhabitants and European explorers to the present day. Through 40 carefully selected maps, the book reveals how the state has evolved over time and how maps have documented—and influenced—that transformation. Short essays, detailed views, and richly captioned illustrations provide historical context and uncover stories that are only hinted at within each map.

A wide variety of cartographic styles are featured, including maps of exploration and settlement, transportation and river navigation maps, county and atlas maps, development and planning maps, pictorial maps, and imaginative representations of Missouri’s past and future. Each map is reproduced as large as possible to allow readers to examine its details and appreciate both its historical significance and artistic craftsmanship.

Mapping Missouri: A History of the Show-Me State in 40 Maps serves as a visual journey through the state’s rich history, offering new perspectives on how Missourians have understood their place in the world and inspiring readers to consider where the Show-Me State may be headed next.

No reservation needed; street parking is free on Sundays.