Indiana

Charming pictorial map of Indiana designed by resident middle schoolers.

This map is a print of a large, mural style wall map presented to the Indiana State Museum by a sixth grade class from Liberty, Indiana. The teacher, Mrs. Ruth Lawson, had every right to be proud. The juvenile, but distinct, illustrations tell a wealth of interesting information about Indiana, including major technological milestones, locations of historical interest and prominent residents.

The image shows a surprisingly balanced representation of the state’s long history from the original native inhabitants through the early 19th century. It even includes an illustration of the first execution of white men for the offense of murdering Native Americans. There’s no shortage of violence elsewhere on the map, perhaps unsurprisingly from a group of sixth grade cartographers. However in spite of the rough penmanship and loose historical accounts, this map has a folksy charm that’s quite appealing.