American Panorama
Reviewed by: R.C.
Review started: March 13, 2023
Review last updated: March 13, 2023
Site Link
Data and Sources
- Archival Photographs
- Census data
- Geographical data
- Transcriptions
- Maps
- Historical Document Scans
- Government PDF Documents
- Historical Transportation SHP Files
- Election Statistics reports
- House district boundaries dataset
Processes
There are 10 projects included in this collection. Most of them use a process of historical data gathering (photography, transcript, maps, government documents, etc.) and cleaning. The data is then represented in an interactive map, some with accompanying legends, timelines and interactive breakdowns and filters.
Presentation
The American Panorama project is a one-page website with a collection of 10 mapping projects. After a brief introduction the landing page features ten clickable map images. Clicking on one of the images, takes you to a new landing page, often with a clean visual of a project image along with a blurb about the project. There is often a “next” button that will bring you to the next page that will explain how to interact with the mapping visualizations. Following the next “next’ button, you will be brought into the mapping interface, with legends, interactive dials and charts concerning the subject. Each map offers detailed visualizations with information on how to use functionality and interpret the map data. There are also extensive documentations around sources, project background, and methodologies.
Digital Tools Used
- React.js
- HTML
- GIS
- Mapbox polylabel algorithm
- D3 forceCollide
- ArcGIS Toolbox
- Python script
- GeoJSON
Languages
- Site(s) are in English.
Review
American Panorama is a digital humanities website that showcases mapping projects created by the Digital Scholarship Lab at the University of Richmond. These maps focus on various historical and topical subjects concerning the United States between 1820 into the twenty-first century.
As of March 2023, there is a collection of ten interactive maps as part of the project, including: Land Acquisition and Dispossession Mapping the Homestead Act (1863–1912), Photogrammar (1935–1943), Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America (1935–1940), Electing the House of Representatives (1840–2016), Renewing Inequality: Family Displacements through Urban Renewal (1950–1966), The Executive Abroad, The Forced Migration of Enslaved People (1810–1860), The Overland Trails (1840–1860), Foreign-Born Population (1850–2020), Canals (1820–1860). Note that this is an ongoing project, so there will likely be more mapping visualizations added in the future.
All the mapping projects featured in American Panorama employ innovative interactive mapping techniques that allow viewers to engage with different historical archives. A handful of the maps follow a similar design skeleton. As mentioned above, each individual project often includes a landing page with an overview of the project title, objective and an image;a page with simple instructions on “how to interact” with the map; and the interactive mapping interface with many paths to explore.
The designs of these mapping projects are well articulated, pleasing to the eye, and accompanied by extensive documentation. The interface is intuitive but can be overwhelming with the amount of information available to explore. The source and mythology texts often provide helpful context that allow viewers to better understand the underlying data represented in the interactive maps.
Overall, American Panorama showcases well-developed interactive mapping projects from the University of Richmond. It is a wonderful collection for those who are interested in American history and digital mapping.