Years ago, oil companies used road maps to promote their brands of fuel and to assist the traveling public. Billions of road maps were given out at gas and service stations. The They gave me a Map exhibit, guest curated by the Road Map Collectors Association, harkens back to days gone by. The exhibit presents the artistry, destination images, and geographic highlights that made maps glove box-sized resources for travelers.

Free maps for motorists

In 1914, Gulf Oil began distributing road maps to their customers, a practice they continued through 1975. Free road maps became more common as years went by, and was a service expected by motorists for decades.

A vintage 1934 Gulf Oil advertisement commemorating distribution of the first free road maps is the exhibit’s featured backdrop and is presented along with a 1912 Cadillac. The exhibition also features an assortment of other road maps from a variety of sources.

Location: Members 1st Gallery

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