Mapping New York’s Shoreline, 1609-2009 | The New York Public Library

September 2009 marks 400 years since Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor and up the Hudson River, almost to what is now Albany, performing detailed reconnaissance of the Hudson Valley region. Other explorers passed by the outwardly hidden harbor, but did not linger long enough to fully realize the commercial, nautical, strategic, or colonial value of the region. Once the explorers returned to Europe, their strategic information was passed on to authorities. Some data was kept secret, but much was handed over to map makers, engraved on copper, printed on handmade paper, distributed to individuals and coffee-houses (the news centers of the day), and pored over by dreamers, investors, and potential settlers in the "new land."

via www.nypl.org

I was at loose end for an hour in New York today and wandered into the New York Public Library. They have a great exhibition for any nerds like me of things nautical, charts and maps.

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson exploring NY Harbor and the Hudson River they are running a nice little exhibition on the evolution of mapping NY Harbor.

For me personally, it was fascinating seeing places I have sailed mapped 300-400 years ago.