This collection contains meeting records, newsletters, occasional papers, correspondence, directories, photographs, and other documents related to the governance of the California Map Society, also known as CMS. Though CMS was formally organized in 1979, this collection contains items from as far back as 1978, and items as recent as 2015.

The California Map Society (CMS) is a nonprofit statewide organization whose members include map librarians, scholars, and collectors, as well as other map enthusiasts. The mission of CMS is to preserve and disseminate historical and contemporary cartography, primarily of California, for members as well as the general public. According to their website (http://www.californiamapsociety.org/aboutus), CMS takes the following actions to accomplish their mission: # We (CMS) hold general membership meetings in California twice a year, once south and once north of the northern boundary of San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino Counties. # We compile the names and addresses of cartographers, antiquarian map historians, map libraries, aerialphoto and imagery resources, map dealers and depositories, and other organizations and agencies concerned with maps of and mapping activities in California. # We educate the public through our conferences and by sponsoring occasional publications and media presentations on cartography. # We support advancements in map production, utilization, and preservation in the State of California. # We encourage research in and the teaching of cartography at all levels of public education in California. # We promote the exchange of cartographic products, information, and ideas among members, other map societies, and other organizations both within and outside California. The first organizational meeting of the California Map Society was held on May 20, 1978 at the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley. At the organizational meeting, 20 people gathered to discuss the possibility of forming a map society for California. This meeting was the product of a discussion in 1977 between Diane Rose (later Diane North) and Philip Hoehn regarding the lack of such an organization for map enthusiasts specific to the state of California. Two speakers presented at this meeting, and a small exhibit of maps was featured. After this meeting, a set of bylaws was drafted. A second organizational meeting was held on March 17, 1979 at the University of San Francisco, hosted by Dr. W. Michael Mathes of USF’s History Department. During this meeting the first officers were elected by acclamation: Norman J.W. Thrower, President# Robert E. Winter, Northern Vice President# Sandra Lamprecht, Southern Vice President# Richard Hansen, Treasurer# and Stuart Auchincloss, Secretary. The California Map Society was officially founded on the occasion of its first general meeting on November 3, 1979 at California State University, Fullerton. Sixtyeight people became Charter Members, following this meeting.

5.42 linear ft. (13 boxes)

Property rights reside with the repository. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.

Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use.