This collection features nearly 550 images of Illinois and the Great Lakes region from the French period of exploration and settlement to the early 20th century. Most of the images in the Great Lakes Collection are maps: printed maps of late colonial and early America; manuscript maps on early Illinois history; maps that document the growth and settlement of Illinois; maps showing the development of the State's transportation system; sections from 19th century county atlases; maps of the Chicago region; and, a selection of USGS topographic sheets. The Great Lakes Collection also includes a representative sampling of the Newberry's visual sources for the study of [North] American Indians.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact a Reference Librarian (reference@newberry.org) or call the Library's Reference Desk at (312) 255-3506.