Mapping Virginia, a major exhibition at the Library of Virginia, was on display from 23 April 1999 through 15 December 1999. On 23-24 April 1999, the Library of Virginia hosted a symposium, which was a component of the Virginia in Maps project. In 2000, the Library published an atlas, Virginia in Maps: Four Centuries of Settlement, Growth, and Development.

The history of cartography in Virginia reflects the pivotal role of the Old Dominion as a leader in much of the political, military, and economic history of the United States. In a rapidly changing society property ownership, political boundaries, economic resources, and the environment were best understood through the mapmaker's craft. The map collection at the Library of Virginia contains more than 65,000 items that include a wide variety of maps published as single items and maps produced by state agencies, as well as maps included in official reports, court records, and legislative petitions. Mapping Virginia offers a sampling of the many kinds of maps created by and for Virginians in the past 400 years.

Mapping Virginia

Surveyors and Mapmakers

Mapping Technology

Vision of Empire

Building the Commonwealth

The Geography of Culture

Educators' Lesson Plans