Chicago Map Society

The Chicago Map Society is a map history society. Established in 1976, it promotes the study, use, preservation, and appreciation of maps and mapping from ancient times to the present. Its public and educational programming includes a regular monthly series of lectures and gatherings, usually held at Chicago's Newberry Library. Occasional field trips feature mapmakers, mapmaking, and map collections. The society also undertakes publication projects and supports organizations and programs dedicated to research, education, and publication in map history, locally and worldwide. It welcomes discussion of mapping and map history from a broad range of perspectives. Through these activities, the society explores maps as part of human communication, global history, knowledge of the world, and diverse cultural expression.