Opening Oct. 21, 2024
Exhibition Gallery | Monday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
“Mapping the Commonwealth” will present examples from 40 manuscript maps that highlight the painstaking task of creating Virginia’s first official state map. Combining art and science, these surveys attest to the dedication, skill and stamina of surveying teams who worked without the benefit of GPS and today’s technology. Correspondence and other documents related to the maps publication, as well as copperplates — printing plates used for engraving — will also be displayed in the exhibition.
A map of the state of Virginia, constructed in conformity to law, from the late surveys authorized by the legislature and other original and authentic documents. Herman Böye, cartographer. Publisher: Philadelphia: Henry S. Tanner, 1826. Virginia Board of Public Works Map Collection, Library of Virginia.
Creating a Map of Virginia
The War of 1812 highlighted the nation’s woeful state of transportation, and the states initiated internal improvement projects, such as building canals, roads, and turnpikes, to promote and connect American markets, and to improve the flow of technology and information between urban and rural areas. Virginia’s General Assembly created the Board of Public Works to oversee the construction of the Commonwealth’s internal improvements — work that required an accurate map of the state.
Surveyors from the United States, Denmark, France, and Scotland were employed to help survey and create a general map of Virginia. Scottish native John Wood became the principal surveyor to oversee the surveying and mapping of each Virginia county. When Wood died in 1822, Herman Bőÿe, originally from Denmark, became principal surveyor and completed the project.
When surveying began in 1816, there were few maps and little precise information about the topography of Virginia. Surveyors used pencil and pen and ink to create their maps in the field. They turned in their surveys to Wood or Bőÿe, who used them to draft the general map, which was completed in 1825. Printed in nine sheets in 1826, Virginia’s first official state map measured 99 by 64 inches, or 44 square feet. A reduced-size map was published in 1827.
Creating Maps of Virginia’s Counties
Surveyors used a compass, tripod, levels and chains to determine county boundaries, chart important water features, and describe major stage and postal roads. They created their maps in the field with pencil and pen. John Wood and Herman Bőÿe reviewed the work for accuracy, as did county delegates and other people who had local knowledge of the area.
These and other county maps can be found in the Library of Virginia’s Cadastral Surveys and County Maps Digital Collection.
Select the links below to see larger versions of some of the county maps that will be on display in the Library’s Exhibition Gallery.
