The first meeting of the New York Map Society was held in January 1978 at the New York Public Library. Until about four years ago, the Society held regular meetings at the American Museum of Natural History and at libraries and museums in New York City and vicinity and Washington, DC. Sy Amkraut was the Society President before he moved out of state about twenty years ago.

After Mr. Amkraut returned to New York City, he met with former Society Treasurer Cathe Giffuni to see if the Society could be reactivated. Alice Hudson, Chief of the New York Public Library's Map Division agreed to assist after the renovation of the Map Rooms was completed. Ms. Hudson arranged for the Society to make its home at the Library and to use the South Court classrooms and auditorium for its meetings. With the Library as our headquarters, our invited speakers would have the Library's world-class collection of maps, atlases and other cartographic material at their disposal. And so, on February 11, 2006, the reactivated New York Map Society held its first meeting at the Library.

Secretary Heather Kinsinger has scheduled guest speakers for the first quarter of 2007, and is currently planning field trips and other meetings for the balance of the year.

Ms. Kinsinger also set up our web site with the help of people from her husband Rich's business. The web site was later turned over to John Woram, who developed it into its present format. The web site is currently viewed by slightly more than 800 visitors per month.

During our first year of operation, the Society has enjoyed guest speakers from various disciplines of the map community. Every month at the South Court, or on a variety of interesting field trips, Society members and guest have been informed and educated on matters of cartographic interest.

Society Treasurer Cathe Giffuni reports that as of December 31, 2006 the New York Map Society had 81 members.

Society Legal Counsel Fred Shauger has recently updated our antiquated 1978 by-laws.

During the Society's first year of operation, the following members have been serving as pro tem officers:

We will have an election of officers at our January 13th meeting. By then, members will have received a copy of the amended by laws to vote on.

The New York Map Society is now well on its way to establishing New York City as the place where mapsters and cartophiles can find a welcome home.

Submitted by:
Sy Amkraut, President Pro Tem