Mapping the Pacific: From Coronado to Lewis and Clark
Sep 22, 2007 - Dec 31, 1969
Portland, OR
One of the greatest adventures in history
- Track the Spanish explorer Coronado on his fruitless, yet amazing search for the legendary city of Quivira.
- Learn of the treacherous ocean voyages of French, Dutch, English, Russian and American vessels in the age of exploration.
- See depictions of ‘sea monsters’ spotted by sailors and explorers from the decks of ships.
- Find out which British adventurer beat Lewis and Clark overland to the Pacific.
- Learn of first contacts between Native Americans and Europeans and the tragic and inspiring meeting of cultures.
The Quivira Collection fills an important niche in the bicentennial celebrations of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Showcasing over 40 maps, books and illustrations dating from 1544-1802, the exhibition invites visitors on a voyage from the first tentative probing of the west coast by European explorers, up to the time that Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery for their historic journey. The exhibit builds on this extraordinary collection to capture the stories of territorial ambition, scientific advancement and the fantastic imaginings of a mysterious frontier. All of these stories are told through a collection of original maps and documents of vibrant beauty that were not only the transmitters of geographic knowledge, but the product of dramatic explorations into a mysterious frontier. Many of these stories are relevant to Sonoma County, particularly with figures like Sir Francis Drake, Don Juan de la Bodega y Quadra and the Russians, all of whom left their mark, one way or another, on this very coast.
