defining conquest: early maps of the great lakes - quad anniversary lecture series

Presented by Joel Stone, DHS Curator Emeritus, this lecture examines how European explorers in the 17th century mapped North America as they sought to understand and document unfamiliar lands. Renowned for their skill, French mapmakers produced some of the earliest and most influential representations of the Great Lakes region, leaving behind a rich visual record of exploration and discovery. These efforts were deeply informed by Native American knowledge and mapping traditions, which played a crucial role in guiding European explorers. Joel Stone will explore the stories behind these maps, highlighting the explorers, artists, and cultural exchanges that shaped how the region was first recorded and understood.