LibGuides: Maps at MNHS: Overview

Overview

The map collection at the Minnesota Historical Society consists of about 19,000 maps and nearly 2,000 volumes of atlases. The collection strongly emphasizes the Minnesota Territory and the state of Minnesota, its regions, counties and cities from 1849 to the present.

The collection also includes selected maps and atlases of a wider geographic area encompassing North America, Canada, the United States, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River Valley. Together these materials trace the process of discovery, exploration, settlement, and development of the state and region as well as past and present relationships with other states.

This guide will give you an overview of what maps and map resources we have at MNHS and how you can access them.

Search for maps: in the library catalog.
Online Resources related to maps
Atlas and Plat Book information
Public Land Survey information
Fire Insurance Map information
Topographic map information
Ward Map information
More: additional resources related to maps

Research Options

Visit the MNHS Library
Original materials, records, and newspapers on microfilm are available on site and reference staff can help with research.
MNHS Research Services
Order copies of records, articles, or other specific materials from the MNHS collections.
Interlibrary Loan
MNHS loans out most microfilm materials. Contact your local library for more information and assistance with this service.
Online Research
Some items such as newspapers, articles, photos and objects are available online. Look for links within this guide.
Other Libraries
Many books listed in the Secondary Sources page can be borrowed from other libraries.

Related Research Guides & Webpages

House & Building History Research
A guide listing the resources available at MNHS.
Map Collections at MNHS
An online resource listing various map resources at MNHS.