Join Gretchen as she explores American history at the Library of Congress.

The “Exploring the Early Americas” exhibit at the Library of Congress features selections from the more than 3,000 rare maps, documents, paintings, prints, and artifacts that make up the Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress. It provides insight into indigenous cultures, the drama of the encounters between Native Americans and European explorers and settlers, and the pivotal changes caused by the meeting of the American and European worlds. The exhibition includes two extraordinary maps by Martin Waldseemüller created in 1507 and 1516, which depict a world enlarged by the presence of the Western Hemisphere.

If you are unable to visit the Library of Congress, don’t worry, they have an interactive exhibit right online at http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/.