Video transcript

Hello my name is Kathryn and I'm going to talk about the importance of mapping in early schooling. We have evidence in our collection of mapping workbooks where children did very, very detailed forms of mapping.

This mapping workbook has been done by Vera Jones in 1896 and she continues to map right through it to 1897. Her early maps show evidence of using red ink for grids. The later maps show beautiful detail of cross-hatching and using the mapping pen she's been able to depict the rivers and oceans and mountain ranges.

Another excellent example of student mapping in our collection is this map done by Arthur Logan in 1901. He attended Chatswood Superior Public School and this has been hand-drawn in inks and with colour washes.

This came into our collection in a dusty old box with books and it was rolled up and when we unrolled it and read the inscription on the back we realized it was hand done by a twelve year old student and that he only received second prize because he had spelt the Murray River incorrectly.

From these early examples of student mapping we can see that mapping was an important part of the curriculum in early schooling. It showed children their place in the world.

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