The man who drew a series of maps which record the history of our nation’s capitol is in central Iowa this weekend to help a community map out its past and future. A sponsor of the visit by Joseph Passonneau says he started the project with his students when he was a college professor. The started by mapping Washington, D.C. and expanded from there.Alexa McDowell is a researcher for “Hometown Perry, Iowa,” a developing museum on small town life. McDowell says the hand-rendered maps enable viewers to follow two centuries of Washington D-C’s history and progress — and there’s much to see and learn.McDowell says Perry leaders are considering ways to address how a similar series of maps and images could illuminate their town’s history.Passonneau’s lecture is Sunday at 4 p-m at the Hotel Pattee. It is free and open to anyone.
