UNC libraries boosted its digital collections with the addition of thousands of state maps — the result of a three-year project that was completed last week.
The North Carolina Maps project provides over 3,000 historic maps of the state in an interactive online map collection.
“Previously anyone can look at these maps but you had to come into the library or the archives. But there were limits based on where you were and what time of day it was,” said Nicholas Graham, program coordinator in North Carolina Digital Heritage Center.
“But looking at them online is a really great way to explore the things that are available and to learn about North Carolina.”
The project, which provideds maps ranging in date from the late 1500s to 2000, was part of a grant from the federal Institute Museum of Library Services.
The project’s aim is to identify and scan nearly every original map of the state with a high resolution to allow viewers to zoom in close enough and read every detail on the map from anywhere with an internet connection.
“It provides a really easy and great opportunity to view historic maps from anywhere through the internet connection,” Graham said.
The North Carolina State Archives and the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo collaborated with UNC libraries on this project. UNC libraries and the State Archives scanned the maps. UNC hosts and administers the site.
Three of the state’s largest map collections, the North Carolina State Archives, the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Outer Banks History Center provided the bulk of the digital collections.
