Virtual: Blue Maps of China: A Conversation with Elze Papelitzky · Monday, June 17, 1 pm ET

The blue terrestrial maps show the Chinese empire of the early nineteenth century surrounded by its neighbors such as Japan, Korea, and India. Instead of mapping these regions according to their shape, the mapmakers added short texts indicating their political relations with the Qing state. This virtual talk with Elze Papelitzky will focus on how these nineteenth-century Chinese mapmakers saw their place in the world, across both space and time.

Register for the event → 

Draw Your Own Constellation for Our June Fundraiser

This June, we’re inviting our supporters to rename the heavens by drawing and naming your own unique star patterns. Our current exhibition, Heaven & Earth, features Chinese star charts and examines how the heavens were interpreted by nineteenth-century Chinese scholars. Just as different cultural traditions have made different maps of the stars, we’re asking you to help us make our own constellation chart. Support our work today and show off your creativity!

Add your constellation → 

In-Person: Film Screening & Director’s Talk · Thursday, June 20 5:30 pm ET

Join BPL Adult Programs for a screening of Inundation District (2023), a film about the implications of Boston’s decision to ignore the threats posed by climate change and spend billions of dollars on building a new waterfront district—on landfill, at sea level. Following the screening, there will be a discussion with David Abel, the film’s producer, director, writer, and cinematographer; this discussion will be led by Leventhal Center President & Head Curator Garrett Dash Nelson.

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FTV Highlights: May 2024

From The Vault is a biweekly event series featuring collections objects selected by Leventhal Center staff. Each program revolves around a theme to explore in the collection, and objects are on display in our Learning Center for the afternoon. No registration is required! In May, we hosted two From The Vault events focused on celestial mapping and maps of fictional places. Read about the collections from both events in these roundup articles, complete with captions, images of the maps and links back to the digital collection records.

Read the highlights → 

Last Chance: Father’s Day Map Sale!

Father’s Day is on the way and the Leventhal Center has just the right gift for Dad from our gift store! Until June 16, use the code DADS-LOVE-MAPS to get 25% off your order from the LMEC gift store. Whether you’re looking for an amusing old map of Boston, a beautiful view of Cape Cod, or a striking Prussian blue map from our current exhibition, our high quality prints are the perfect way to celebrate the map lover in your life. Get Dad a gift he’ll cherish and help support the LMEC along the way. Orders placed by 12 pm on June 13 for in-gallery pickup will be ready before Father’s Day.

Visit the gift store →