Can AI change the way we explore historic maps? Find out on May 18!
Join us for a free virtual talk with Dr. Katherine McDonough (Assistant Professor in Digital Humanities at Lancaster University) as she explores how machine vision technology is transforming the way librarians, historians, and AI researchers work with digitized map collections—drawing on examples from the US and UK.
Monday, May 18 · 2:00 pm EDT
Co-hosted by BPL Digital Services (@bplboston ) and the Leventhal Map & Education Center.
Register now → /p782j2e7
Join us this Saturday for a special Open House program with our colleagues in BPL Special Collections. We'll focus on rare documents that tell the story of the American Revolution in Boston and reflect the unique collections held at the Boston Public Library. Drop in any time from 12:00–4:00 pm. No registration is required.
Now Open! 📜
BPL’s newest exhibition “Declarations: Printing a New Nation” opens today, Saturday, April 11!
For the first time ever, the Boston Public Library’s eight rare printings of the Declaration of Independence will be displayed together, inviting visitors to step into a moment when American independence, and the nation itself, was still taking shape.
Last night, the Boston Public Library Fund was thrilled to host the Opening Reception to thank the incredible Library staff who brought the exhibition to life and to recognize the supporters who made it possible. We were especially honored to welcome Mayor Michelle Wu to the celebration!
“Declarations” is presented in partnership between the @bplboston and the @bplmaps and made possible by the Irene Haney Creative Enrichment Fund through the @bplfund
📸 City of Boston Mayor’s Office
250 years ago, in the summer of 1776, the Declaration of Independence wasn't a celebrated historical document—it was breaking news.
Our new exhibition, "Declarations: Printing a New Nation," opens to the public today in our gallery at the Central Library in Copley Square. This collaboration with BPL Special Collections brings together eight of the library's rare copies of the Declaration, as well as maps and other historical materials, to tell the story of how the news of independence made its way across North America during this era-defining moment. Admission is free.
For more, see /digital-exhibitions/declarations/
Image 2 credit: Mel Taing
BPL's newest exhibition "Declarations: Printing a New Nation" opens today, Saturday, April 11!
📜For the first time ever, the Boston Public Library’s eight rare printings of the Declaration will be displayed together, inviting visitors to step into a moment when American independence, and the nation itself, was still taking shape.
We invite all patrons and visitors to explore the exhibition, free to all, in the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Central Library, @bplmaps .
The exhibition is made possible by the Irene Haney Creative Enrichment Fund through the Boston Public Library Fund, @bplfund .
Learn more about the exhibition at bpl.org/current-exhibitions
#bostonpubliclibrary #exhibition
The Leventhal Center gallery will be closed Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 10 as we prepare for our new exhibition Declarations: Printing a New Nation. Learn more about the exhibition here: /digital-exhibitions/declarations/
Explore the Declaration of Independence in a whole new way!
This year, the Declarations Trail brings together more than a dozen rare copies of the Declaration—different printings, created for different audiences—on public view across six exhibition sites in Greater Boston:
📍 @bplboston & @bplmaps
📍 @bostonathenaeum
📍 @mhs1791
📍 @harvardlibrary ’s @houghtonlibrary , @harvardarchives , and the @harvardmaps
Together, these exhibitions connect four institutions and six galleries, casting a familiar document in a new light and tracing how the Declaration has been read, reprinted, and reimagined from the summer of 1776 to the summer of 2026—the 250th anniversary of its signing.
Plan your own route and visit all six exhibitions in any order! Learn more at declarationstrail.org.
#DeclarationsTrail #DeclarationOfIndependence #Boston250 #RareBooks #PublicHistory
The Leventhal Center is excited to share that we're hiring a new Curator or Associate Curator of Maps & Geography!
This role will help lead the Center’s public work around the study of maps, space and place, and historical geography, while also caring for and expanding our collections. If you’re passionate about digging deep into maps and their stories, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply by Monday, March 30, for full consideration: https://buff.ly/1I0bHuI
Announcing BPL's newest exhibition "Declarations: Printing a New Nation", opening on Saturday, April 11!
📜 For the first time ever, the Boston Public Library’s eight rare printings of the Declaration will be displayed together, inviting visitors to step into a moment when American independence, and the nation itself, was still taking shape.
🗺️ We invite all patrons and visitors to explore the exhibition, free to all, in the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Central Library, @bplmaps .
The exhibition is made possible by the Irene Haney Creative Enrichment Fund through the Boston Public Library Fund, @bplfund .
Learn more about the exhibition at tinyurl.com/DeclarationsBPL
Many great picture books take us on a journey. Some even take us on a journey we can map 🗺️
Learn how to use picture books to teach elementary students about the basics of geography, mapping and spatial awareness. You'll complete this session with a recommended book list and strategies for your classroom.
Register for the workshop here: https://buff.ly/3OQqJGz
Have you ever considered yourself something of a "map head"?
We're currently hiring for two positions! Apply to be our next Curator or Associate Curator of Maps & Geography (applications due March 30) or Gallery & Visitor Services Coordinator (applications due March 20).
Learn more and apply online: /about/jobs/
🎆On March 17, 1776, British rule in Boston ended 🎆
Thousands of British soldiers, joined by hundreds of local Loyalists, evacuated Boston after an eleven-month siege. What became of those who left? And what was the Boston they left behind?
In this From The Vault map collection showing, take a look at maps that explore the Evacuation of Boston as we mark its 250th anniversary.
This free showing will be hosted Friday, March 13 in the Leventhal Map & Education Center with a staff member from the LMEC available to answer questions. Drop in any time between 2:00PM - 4:00PM. No reservation is required.
