The California Map Society (CMS) records
Finding aid created by Manuscripts Division staff using RecordEXPRESS
Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
2016
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, California 94305-6004
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
http://library.stanford.edu/spc/manuscripts-division
Title: The California Map Society (CMS) records
Dates: 1978-2015
Collection Number: M2111
Creator/Collector:
California Map Society
Extent: 5.42 linear ft. (13 boxes)
Repository:
Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
Stanford, California 94305-6004
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of
intended use.
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.
The California Map Society (CMS) records. Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
The CMS records were collected by CMS archivists, officers, and members. Transfer from Branner
Library; 2016. Accession MSS 2016-015
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection is arranged at folder level, chronologically# it includes administrative records, meeting
records, correspondence, photographs, documents related to the finances, constitution and bylaws of
CMS, and works published by CMS.
Map collections
cartography
Cataloging of maps
Cartographers
Maps
Map libraries