GPS helps us get everywhere, but a Chicago museum is reminding us that good-old fashioned maps should not be forgotten.
"Crossings: Mapping American Journeys" at the Newberry Library features maps, guidebooks, travelogues, postcards, and more recreate travelers’ experiences along the northern and southern borders of the US, across the continent’s interior, and up and down the Mississippi River.
"In earlier times - not so earlier times, maybe up to about 40 years ago - people really weren't dependent on paper maps to get around," said Jim Akerman, curator of maps at the Newberry Library.
The exhibit serves as a reminder that at some point we all need to tell to forge our own path.
"Most of the people that are here, come here from somewhere else," Akerman said.
"Crossings" shows how centuries of movement from the Lewis and Clark expedition to the great American Road Trip and for deep relationships, people in places that survive even today.
"There's nothing like spreading out a paper map and in front of you and figuring out where you're going," Akerman said.
The exhibit runs through June 25. The galleries are open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.