About the Exhibit
1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE
An Exhibit at The Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540
Representatives of two disparate, complex parts of the
world, previously unknown to one another--The Mediterranean and
the Americas--came together on an island in the Bahamas at the
end of the 15th century. This accidental encounter brought them
into lasting contact, initiating an intense process of
exploration, conquest, and acculturation in the Americas that
would continue throughout the sixteenth century and beyond.
The exhibition 1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE describes both pre-
and post-contact America, as well as the Mediterranean world at
the same time. Compelling questions are raised, such as: Who
lived in the Americas before 1492? Who followed in the wake of
Columbus? What was the effect of 1492 for Americans throughout
the Western Hemisphere? The Library of Congress's Quincentenary
exhibition addresses these questions as well as other related
themes, including fifteenth century European navigation, the
myths and facts surrounding the figure of Columbus, and the
differences and similarities between European and American world
views at the time of contact.
The exhibit is divided into six (6) sections: What Came To
Be Called "America," The Mediterranean World, Christopher
Columbus: Man and Myth, Inventing America, Europe Claims America,
and Epilogue. The original exhibit included over 300 objects:
manuscripts, books, maps, and artifacts such as globes, jewelry,
and musical instruments. The online exhibit includes images of
22 objects from the original exhibit, representing each of the 6
sections.
The exhibit text consists of background statements for each
section and sub-section (where applicable) and descriptions of
the objects included in the online exhibit. In some cases there
is additional text describing a particular group of objects.
These "highlight" texts are included even if only one of the
images described has been included in the online exhibit.
The Catalog
The exhibit 1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE was on display at the
Library of Congress from August 12, 1992 through February 14,
1993. The online exhibit will be available by anonymous FTP
indefinitely. A 170 page catalog, "1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE,"
(John R. Hebert, ed.) is available in hard-cover for $25.00. It
is for sale in person at the Library of Congress Madison Sales
Shop, or by mail from:
New Orders
Superintendent of Documents
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
The stock number is S/N 030-000-00238-5, and the price is $25.00,
which includes shipping and handling. Make checks payable to the
Superintendant of Documents.
The text and images in the Online Exhibit 1492: AN ONGOING
VOYAGE are for the personal use of students, scholars, and the
public. Any commercial use or publication of them is strictly
prohibited.
Questions or comments about the exhibit should be sent to
K.D. Ellis, Special Projects Office, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C. 20540-9100 (Internet address kell@seq1.loc.gov).