George Washington and His Maps

In his journey from surveyor to soldier to leader, our first president used cartography to get a feel for the young nation

  • By John Hanc
  • Smithsonian.com, November 16, 2010
| 10 of 12 |

New York North and South Carolina United States Virginia Pennsylvania and North Carolina Mt Vernon
Map of the western parts of Virginia Pennsylvania and North Carolina

(Yale University Library)


Map 9: A Map of the Western Parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina

Washington consulted this map—which he considered “amazingly accurate”—before recommending to Congress the borders for what would become the states of Ohio and Michigan. He also used it to plan strategy in the Indian wars of the early 1790s.

| 10 of 12 |





 

Add New Comment


Name: (required)

Email: (required)

Comment:

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until Smithsonian.com has approved them. Smithsonian reserves the right not to post any comments that are unlawful, threatening, offensive, defamatory, invasive of a person's privacy, inappropriate, confidential or proprietary, political messages, product endorsements, or other content that might otherwise violate any laws or policies.

Comments (4)

Some of the nautical information on this British map may have been gathered by the famous (future captain) James Cook, RN, who did a recconnaissance assignment at Quebec.

I've read that a large part of Napoleon's genius was his ability to make extraordinary use of maps.

Mr. Herr,
Your button is not one that George Washington would have worn but more likely one celebrating his inauguration as President in New York. Contact a museum or reputable antique dealer about it. It could be of some value.

Regards, Daniel S.

I have in my possession a coat size button with the bust of George Washington imbossed on it.It is either brass or bronze,not sure.It was found on long Island in 1976, by me at a place he visited several times.It could be a cape button that he usaully wore.Can you shed some light on it.I will send a picture if need be or please send me photo's of some of his military uniforms.
thanks, Richard T. Herr



Advertisement



Follow Us

Advertisement