The American Guide Project outlines different topics to include in the state guide. When exploring the Guide To the Old Dominions, I came across societies, folk customs, transportation, and natural resources. According to the American Guide Series, “the guide would convey the “true” America to its people”.
The structure of the Guide To the Old dominions followed the set format stated in The American Guide Series. It focused on the origins of the states and their customs through the lens of a local resident, provides descriptive information about the states like important monuments and wild-life, and lastly, tourism. Which informs readers of the roads, transportation options, major cities and their attractions, natural and historical sites of relevance, and other points of interest to travelers (efn_note)http://exhibits.usu.edu/exhibits/show/americanguideseries/americanguideseries(/efn_note).
Mapping a tour from the American Guide Series compared to that of Navigating the Green Book displayed major differences. During the 1930’s, segregation laws existed in southern states. Due to such and racial bias, African Americans were prohibited to travel in various states causing them find alternative routes that enabled them to reach their destinations. Whereas their white counterparts were free to move from state to state, having unlimited access to restaurants, accommodation and more.
When navigating through the Green Book, I was reminded of the reading the discussed the way in which racism was mapped. W.E.B. DuBois, a prominent African American activists,”traced the routes of the slave trade to Southern states, the value of blacked- owned property…” (efn_note)https://sarahemilybond.com/2017/10/20/mapping-racism-and-assessing-the-success-of-the-digital-humanities/(/efn_note).
Through these resources, mapping and spatial history tells us much about the pass. It tells a story plotted through space showing us the scale from one place to another, which involve the use of movement. The two coexist when studying the mobility that took place throughout history. The GIS, a platform for organizing and visualizing data, enhances the ability to examine spatial data (efn_note)https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/september-2017/blending-local-and-spatial-history-using-carto-to-create-maps-in-the-history-classroom(/efn_note). Engaging in the process of mapping enables one to think critically about the relationships between the different spaces. Mapping locations enables the use of primary sources to consider spatial relationships in new and productive ways. The use of primary sources spatially provides us with firsthand accounts or direct evidence concerning an event. It allows for research to be conducted, enhancing our knowledge and broadening our understanding.
