Visit one of the largest cartographic collections in the United States. The American Geographical Society Library is home to nearly 2 million objects ranging from maps, atlases, digital geospatial data, globes, and more. On this tour, you will see a variety of maps from around the world and different time periods. On display will also be the legendary Karen Wynn Fonstad manuscript maps of fantastical worlds like the Atlas of Middle-Earth.
Saturday October 24, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT TBA
This is a creative activity for everyone, including kids aged 12 and up. Frankly I think adults who never grew up are the best participants.
You and a group of peers will be randomly assigned an animal. The objective of the activity is to use basic craft supplies to make a map of a common space as if one were that animal, for other members of your species. What does a map for a mouse look like? A map for a pigeon? How will you get into character as a horse?
This activity is fun, quirky and a great opportunity to break out of your creative rut with a low-stakes project that you will absolutely finish in under an hour.
It's also a reminder that cartography doesn't work without empathy. We have to understand our audiences and we get into trouble when we assume the audience is someone just like us.
Andrew Middleton, The Map Center
Saturday October 24, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT TBA
Join representatives of the Mapping Racism and Resistance Project for a hands-on workshop on designing community-based mapping applications. Contribute to our map of "History in Motion: Mapping Milwaukee Resistance", a community-generated map documenting places of BIPOC resistance, or build a resistance map for your local community! We’ll answer your questions about community-engaged mapping projects and go over how to create a community-driven map using Survey123 and Experience Builder. You will gain experience designing questionnaires, managing community submissions, and conceptualizing places of resistance.
An ArcGIS Online account is required. An interest in community-engaged mapping and public history is encouraged. Participants should bring a laptop with internet access. Participants are encouraged to download Survey123 Connect prior to the workshop to facilitate hands-on participation. No prior Survey123 experience is necessary.
Elizaveta Lepikhova, Mapping Racism and Resistance Project, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chelsea Nestel, David and Nancy Petrone GIS Librarian, University of Oregon Anne Bonds, Professor, Department Chair, Geography; Affiliated Professor, Urban Studies; Affiliated Professor, Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Saturday October 24, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT TBA
Real time manipulation of projected, digital maps in dialogue with composed & improvised music. A visual wash of street grids, land masses, water bodies, & curiosities from built and natural environments. Sounds soothing & screeching. Orphaned labels & free-floating symbology. Auditory roundabouts & acoustic cul-de-sacs. Colors that clash, calm, & fade. Jittery zooms & journeys. Liminal drones. Glitchy artifacts from crowdsourced geographies.
Theise, who's performed across North America and Europe, will perform solo & with a local improviser. The performance will occasionally introduce strobing effects that may affect photosensitive viewers.
At Woodland Pattern, a bookstore + arts & poetry hub at 347 E. Ward St, Bay View: a 30-40 minute ride from the Hyatt by bus, 15 minutes by ride-hail.
