Do you LOVE maps, buildings, and history? So do we!

Historians, preservationists, and planners often turn to the a resource that was never meant to have such lasting value: Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Created from the 1850s through the 1950s to support fire insurance underwriting, these detailed maps have become indispensable for tracing changes to buildings and understanding how cities and towns evolved over time. 

Rachel Robinson, HA’s Vice President of Preservation, will provide an introduction and lead a hands-on tutorial on using Sanborn maps. Rachel will guide you through the seven map sets available for Annapolis (1885–1921), explain how to interpret the symbols and color codes with the Sanborn key, and show you how to explore maps from other communities across the country. 

We invite you to come enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as you dive into this pre–Valentine’s Day workshop!

Advance registration required.

Cost: $15 General Admission; $10 for Military; Free for HA Members & Volunteers

About Our Presenter: Rachel Robinson is the Vice President of Preservation at Historic Annapolis. Previously, she served as director of preservation at Providence Preservation Society and executive director of the Vieux Carré Commission Foundation and Felicity Redevelopment Inc., both located in New Orleans. Rachel, a Chattanooga, Tennessee native, holds a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning and a certificate in historic preservation from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in historical and sustainable architecture from New York University—London. She is on the national board of Preservation Action, the national grassroots lobby for historic preservation—of which HA was a founding member. 

Accessibility: Visitors with limited mobility can access this program via the driveway of the Paca House. A single use accessible restroom can be accessed by a ramp.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.

Photography Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of people of all ages at Historic Annapolis-sponsored events for publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please opt out by notifying Historic Annapolis staff.