Mapping Place & Time

Maps of diverse histories.

By Kristen J. Nyitray, Contributing Editor

Maps reveal different histories by offering unique perspectives and interpretations of the past. In this issue of “Rare Treasures,” we highlight a sampling of maps from Special Collections, Stony Brook University Libraries. They depict the diverse ways in which history has been mapped, experienced, and understood across Long Island and at Stony Brook University. For more information, visit the Special Collections web page for Historical Maps and Atlases.

Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova, c1635.

Online access

This hand-colored map depicts New England and the Middle Atlantic states, from Penobscot Bay south to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It appears in Willem and Joan Blaeu’s Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive Atlas Novus (1640) and other editions. Oriented with north to the right, the title is written in Latin, with place names in Latin, Dutch, and vernacular languages. Blaeu was a surveyor, globe maker, publisher, and the head of a map-making firm alongside his two sons, Joan and Cornelis. This map of New Netherland and New England derives from Adriaen Block’s 1614 hand-drawn chart, which defined Manhattan and Long Island as islands after Block’s explorations of Long Island Sound and coastal waters up to Cape Cod. It served as the cornerstone for Dutch claims to the lower Northeast. The map is decorated with illustrations of deer, foxes, bears, egrets, rabbits, cranes, turkeys, beavers, polecats, and otters. The economic and territorial aspects of Native American life are reflected in the map’s focus on natural resources. The naming of geographical features also points to the importance of these regions to the Native populations, such as the inclusion of the name Matouwacs on Long Island. 

Willem Janszoon Blaeu, Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova [Amsterdam]: Blaeu, c1635.

Graphic artist Larry Auerbach, a Stony Brook University alumnus from the class of 1975, created this intricately detailed and stylized map (45”x 34”) of Stony Brook’s east and west campuses. Known for its humorous commentary and touches, the map includes elements like flying saucers taking off from the Earth and Space Sciences building, adding a playful layer to the representation of the campus. Auerbach, originally a math major who later transitioned into graphic arts, first proposed the idea of a campus-themed coloring book. However, the concept was ultimately adapted into a unique aerial map, which would serve as both a practical guide and a fun introduction to the campus. The creation of the map took Auerbach nearly one year to complete, as he meticulously worked to capture the essence of the sprawling campus. The goal was to distribute these maps to new students during orientation, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the layout in a fun and interactive way through coloring. This creative project provided a practical tool for incoming students and sparked a sense of engagement and connection with their new environment.

Section of The State University of New York at Stony Brook…: A Vision from the Clouds by  Larry Auerbach [Stony Brook, NY]: 1978.

A Guide for Cyclists with an Accurate Map Showing the Roads and Cycle Paths of Long Island: with Notes, Suggestions, Runs, Hotels and Time Tables Sufficient to Enable Any One to “Lay Out a Trip” Intelligently, 1899.
Online access

Beginning in the mid-19th century, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) began producing numerous travel and guidebooks that promoted Long Island as both a prime resort destination and an ideal place to settle. These publications were part of a broader effort to attract tourists and potential residents by highlighting the island’s scenic beauty and its proximity to New York City. This map is part of an 18-page booklet aimed at cyclists, offering various routes for navigating Long Island. Roads are color-coded in red to indicate their condition – good, fair, or poor – to help cyclists plan their trips accordingly.

However, the map’s small scale and blurred printing may have made it difficult for cyclists to follow the routes with precision. This could have impacted their ability to “lay out a trip intelligently,” as the booklet title suggests. Despite these potential limitations, the booklet contributed to the growing appeal of Long Island as a cycling destination, reflecting the broader trend of promoting recreational activities and accessible transportation options during a period when cycling was becoming increasingly popular.

A Guide for Cyclists with an Accurate Map Showing the Roads and Cycle Paths of Long Island (Long Island City, New York: Issued by the Long Island Railroad Co, 1899).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen J. Nyitray is Associate Librarian, Director of Special Collections and University Archives, and University Archivist at Stony Brook University. A Certified Archivist (Academy of Certified Archivists), she is recipient of the Chancellor’s Award (SUNY) and the President’s Award (SBU) for Excellence in Librarianship. Her current scholarship focuses on Indigenous histories and representations in archival sources. Among her publications are the books Stony Brook: State University of New York and Long Island Beaches.