Last chance: The final days of Processing Place

After seven months on display, Processing Place: How Computers and Cartographers Redrew our World will close on Sunday, March 23. We invite you to visit one more time to see objects from the Leventhal Center’s unique collections in the history of digital mapping. For those unable to visit in person, you can explore the the digital exhibition, as well the finding aids for the Applied Geographics, Inc. Records, David Judkins Weaver papers, and Richard K. Grady papers. After a two week turnover period, our next exhibition, Terrains of Independence, opens on April 3.

Visit Processing Place → 

Currently Hiring: Learning Resource Specialist

Could you be our next team member? The Center is searching for a Learning Resource Specialist. We are looking for someone with the knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to create asynchronous learning tools that draw educators and general audiences into the collections of the Leventhal Center through themes of geography, social studies, and place-based history. Upon hire, the Learning Resource Specialist will collaborate with the Director of Education on a year-long revision of existing educational resources for K-12 educators. For full consideration, apply by Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET.

Image credit: Michael Clarke, Suffolk University

Learn more about the position → 

City of Boston Planning Academy RFP

The City of Boston Planning Department is launching a new initiative to create a Planning Academy, an accessible resource for civic education that is community-centered and contextualizes planning and development in Boston. The Leventhal Center will serve as a partner in this work by providing resources about urban history and civic geography to support the Academy’s work. The Planning Department currently seeks RFPs for consultants to design and implement the initial phase of the Planning Academy; responses must be submitted by March 21, 2025.

Learn more about the RFP → 

In person: From the Vault: As Little Land As Possible · March 21, 2:00 pm ET

Though over 70% of the planet’s surface is covered in water, few stop to think about how we map this huge segment of the Earth (and how important it is we do so). From detailing the best maritime trade routes to documenting exploratory journeys across the sea, maps of our largest bodies of water can push the boundaries of our understanding of “conventional” map making.

This free showing will be hosted Friday, March 21 in the Leventhal Map & Education Center with a staff member available to answer questions. Drop in any time between 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, no reservation required.

Event details → 

Virtual: Exploring Media Literacy Through American Revolution Newspapers · April 8, 6:00 pm ET

Join BPL Special Collections and the BPL Media and Journalism Specialist for 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord: Analyzing Historical Newspapers to Strengthen Modern-Day Media Literacy Skills. Using BPL’s Special Collections as a guide, participants will examine historical documents to learn about the news ecosystem at the time of the American Revolution, as well as media literacy skills that can be applied to consuming the news today.

Register for the event → 

From the Vault: February Roundup

In February, we hosted two From the Vault events. For the Love of Maps was a nod to Valentine’s Day and saw staff highlighting their favorite maps alongside personal reflections. Holding the Narrative: Understanding the Social and Real World Implications of Maps, curated by our current Northeastern University co-op student Zaila Alves, took a close look at maps of the African continent and asked visitors to consider how what’s not included can be just as informative as what’s being represented. Check out the maps from both events in the roundup articles linked below.

Read the highlights → 

Newsletter Trivia: Processing Place

Which country is credited with creating the first program to collect national land use data in a “geo-information system” that used computers to automate map production?

• Finland
• Canada
• The United States
• Sweden

The answer to last newsletter’s question about where the Central Library was located from 1854 to 1894 was Boylston Street (though it was much closer to the Common at the time)!

Correct answers will be included in a random draw—the winner will receive the next three Map of the Month club postcards for free. In order to enter, make sure you follow us on Bluesky, Instagram or Facebook and direct message or email us the answer to the following question. We’ll accept answers until March 24 at 9 am ET.

Message us on Instagram → 

Revolutionary War map reproductions now available

With two Revolutionary War-era maps recently added to our online shop, there’s something for everyone! For everything from postcards and exhibition catalogs to frame quality maps, use the code TERRAINS for 25% off your total order until our new exhibition opens on April 3.

Shop the gift store →