Fry-Jefferson Map Society
The mission of the Fry-Jefferson Map Society is to develop, enhance and promote the cartographic collections of the Library of Virginia. All funds raised by the Fry-Jefferson Map Society go directly to support this mission. Membership in the Fry-Jefferson Map Society is $50 and entitles you special benefits, including free admission to the annual Voorhees Lecture, advance notice of lectures and other Library programs and recognition in the Library Foundation's annual report.
Click here to become a member
In Kind Gifts
The Library of Virginia's cartographic collection thrives in large part through the generousity of people who have given maps and other materials to the collection. If you have a map or other document that you wish to consider donating to the Library of Virginia Foundation, please call Dan Stackhouse at (804) 692-3813. In-kind donations are fully tax deductible.
Upcoming events
2013 Voorhees Lecture on the History of Cartography
The Life and Work of Matthew Fontaine Maury
Saturday, April 20th | 1:00 pm
The 2013 Alan M. & Nathalie Voorhees Lecture on the History of Cartography will be held on April 20th. Two lectures will be separated by a short intermission, beginning at 1:00 pm. There will be a special one-day exhibition of maps and other artifacts related to the talk beginning at 10:00am.
The Puzzling Portrait of Matthew Fontaine Maury
Guest Speaker: Scott Walker
Highlights from the Matthew Fontaine Maury Collection
Guest Speaker: Cassandra Farrell
Virginia native Matthew Fontaine Maury was the foremost navigator of the nineteenth century, known worldwide for his charts of the seas and for his development of what became the science of Oceanography. Lauded by other nations, he led charting developments for the shipping interests of the world until the outbreak of the American Civil War. Maury "went south" and served the Confederacy in a variety of capacities and, eventually wound up teaching Physics at Virginia Military Institute after the war's end. Yet, as known as he was for scientific advancement, Maury seems to have fallen into what can best be called the 'dustbin of history'. This year's Voorhees lecture will look at the reasons for that obscurity and examine Maury's place in today's pantheon of scientists.
This is a free event, but registration is requested. Members of the Fry-Jefferson Map Society will receive a special gift. A Special one-day exhibition of maps relating to the talk from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Behind-the-scenes tours of the Library will be offered beginning at 10:30am. Box lunches available for purchase at noon (must be preordered). If a box lunch is not preordered, the Library’s Discovery Café will be open for lunch.
To register and order a box lunch, please call Dan Stackhouse at (804) 692-3813 or register online.
Steering Committee of the Fry-Jefferson Map Society
- William Wooldridge, Committee Chair
- John Bottger, Vice Chair
- William Anderson
- Evelyn Edson
- Dennis Gurtz
- Bert Johnson
- Edward Oldfield
- Luke Vavra
- David Williams
- Thomas A. Wolf
- Cassandra Farrell, Library of Virginia Liaison
- Dan Stackhouse, Library of Virginia Foundation Liaison
LVA Map Links
- Alan M. Voorhees Map Collection
- From Williamsburg to Wills's Creek: The Fry-Jefferson Map
- Maps, Charts & Atlases - The Alan M. Voorhees Collection at the Library of Virginia Exhibition Guide
- Mapping Virginia
Adopt Virginia's History
Many of the Library's maps are in desperate need of conservation and restoration before they can be released for use. These maps are available for adoption through our Adopt Virginia's History program. Any donation of $100 or more towards the conservation of a map will be noted in the maps catalog record, and a card noting the adoption will be placed with the map. Additionally, you will receive a handsome certificate recognizing your contribution. For more information and a list of maps in current need of conservation, please call Dan Stackhouse at (804) 692-3813
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Fry Jefferson Map Society relies on the support of local businesses to support its mission and programming. For information on the benefits of sponsoring a Map Society program, please call Dan Stackhouse.

