Map Seminar: Mapping American Expansion

October 31-November 1, 2025 Winston-Salem, NC

Map Seminar
Mapping American Expansion

A Map of the British Empire in America, Henry Popple, Cartographer, London, Great Britain, 1733, Hand-colored engraving, Library Purchase Fund (Acc. 4206).

October 31-November 1, 2025

As a young nation emerged, Americans quickly turned their attention to the West, continuing to expand westward in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with the Louisiana Purchase, Mexican Cession, and other land deals. As they did so, they utilized maps to chart their course and realize their vision of an expanded America.  

Please plan to join us in Winston-Salem or online for a two-day seminar focused on westward expansion. Participants will engage in two days of lectures, including a keynote address from Zack Fleming the Geography Geek, as well as opportunities to tour the Moravian Archives’ Vaults and view maps from national and international dealers during a map fair. 

The seminar will include a map fair, featuring map dealers:

Arader Galleries
Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps
Boston Rare Maps
Clive A. Burden Ltd.
Daniel Crouch Rare Books
Old Print Shop

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This seminar is generously sponsored by
Carol Holcomb (In Memory of Frank Holcomb)
Dr. and Mrs. James W. Lester, Jr.

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REGISTRATION

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Individual Ticket   $395.00 
In Person Registration includes the keynote lecture and reception, participation in the Map Exhibition, two pastry breakfasts, two coffee breaks, two lunches, all lectures proposed on the agenda, and an admission ticket to Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  In-person attendees will also receive exclusive access to the recordings of the lectures after the program concludes.
10/30 Moravian Archives Vault Tour   Free 
Both Vault Tours will be limited to 25 people each. We expect that both tours will sell out, so please register at your earliest convenience for one time slot only! Tour only available to those registered for Map Seminar. 
10/31 Moravian Archives Vault Tour Free
Both Vault Tours will be limited to 25 people each. We expect that both tours will sell out, so please register at your earliest convenience for one time slot only! Tour only available to those registered for Map Seminar. 
Virtual Registration Free
Virtual registration includes live access to the lectures, as well as access to the recordings after the program concludes.

*Please note that members of the Frank L. Horton Society receive priority registration privileges, as well as a discount on their tickets.  To receive your Frank L. Horton Society discount, please be sure you register and/or sign in with your Old Salem Museums & Gardens username and password.  If you would like to join the Frank L. Horton Society, or if you would like to learn more, please click here.

PROGRAM
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FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Robert Leath, moderator

Zack Fleming, Keynote: A love letter to old maps & Alexander Von Humboldt’s role in western expansion

Ashley Baynton-Williams, American Map Engravers

Wes Brown, How the Explorations of Pike, Long & the Spanish put Colorado on the Map

Mike Buehler, Where the %&$# is Polypotamia? Jefferson’s Vision for the Old Northwest

JC McElveen, The 1864 Sand Creek Massacre

Susan Schulten, Westward Expansion, the Secession Crisis, and the Creation of Colorado Territory

Chet Van Duzer, Map Beasts: Animals on Early Modern Maps

James Harkins, The Holcomb Map Collection

Rodney Kite-Powell, The Touchton Map Collection

Richard Pegg, The Barry McLean Map Collection
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SCHEDULE:
subject to amendment

Thursday, October 30, 2025

3:30pm   Advance Registration Required: Moravian Archives Vault Tour

 

Friday, October 31, 2025

9:30am   Lectures
12:20pm   Lunch
1:20pm   Lectures
2:30-5:00pm   Map Fair
3:30pm   Advance Registration Required: Moravian Archives Vault Tour
5:00pm   Reception & Keynote Lecture

 

Saturday, November 1, 2025

10:00am   Lectures
12:10pm   Lunch
1:15 pm   Lectures
4:00 pm   MESDA Open House & Galleries Open

 

TRAVEL DETAILS

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The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts is one of the museums at Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  MESDA is located in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center at 924 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC  27101.  Seminar lectures will take place in the James A. Gray Auditorium at the Old Salem Visitor Center at 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem, NC  27101.

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Seminar Hotels:

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Fairfield Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Downtown
125 South Main St
Winston-Salem, NC  27101
1-336-714-2800
Group Name: MESDA Map Seminar
Last day to book: September 29th  
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Other recommended hotels:

  
The Zevely Inn Bed and Breakfast
803 South Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC  27101
1-336-748-9299		  
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CANCELLATION POLICY

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Registrants who cancel at least two weeks prior to a program will receive a full refund minus a $50 handling fee.  No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur less than two weeks prior to the event.
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INCLEMENT WEATHER

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The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts follows the inclement weather policies of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.  When OSMG is closed, the museum is closed as well.  Should this occur, the seminar will be cancelled and refunds will be issued.  For your own protection, please consider travel insurance to cover fees involved with cancelling hotel reservations.