Kevin Moore, March Meeting Presenter, in his 19th century Lewes home. Moore will speak on historical maps of the First State.

For most of us, a map is a guide used to help find one's way from one point to another. It's a look at what lies ahead and usually it provides the best way to get there. For Kevin Moore, however, a map is a window to the past. His collection of antique Delaware maps, some dating back more than two centuries, will be the topic of the Friday, March 21 meeting of the Lewes Historical Society at St. Peter's Parish Hall on Mulberry St. between Second and Third Sts. in Lewes. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Using maps to chart Delaware's history is easy for Kevin Moore, a Lewes resident for some 20 years and a long-time Delaware history buff. Ten years ago a friend gave him an antique map of Delaware. It intrigued him because, he says, "it had more than just eye appeal. It spoke of history, it revealed the artistry of the map maker and displayed man's desire to identify his environment in the map maker's unique style." It was this map that started his quest to learn more about maps-specifically Delaware maps-and their role in history as well as their design and origin.

Moore is a local photographer and publisher whose own work has found its way into the annals of Delaware's recent historical past. But it is his maps rather than his colorful scenic photos of Delaware that grace the walls of his 19th century home. "They have a visual attraction for me," he says. You can collect maps and keep them in a drawer but that's not my idea of a collection. The antique maps of Delaware provide visual stimulation and display them in frames as works of art." He says that even though it is a small state many maps illustrating only Delaware were crafted before 1850.

Moore's presentation will include a brief history of map making and their role in exploration and the discovery of America. He will then focus his comments on Delaware maps and how they relate to Delaware history. As part of his presentation Moore will bring several of his maps for review. He encourages anyone with a historic map of Delaware who wishes to know more about it should bring it to the meeting.

The meeting is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. Refreshments and discussion will follow the presentation.

For more information please contact the Society at events@historiclewes.org, call us at 302-645-7670 or fax us at 302-645-2375.

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