The Ridgeline Map Archive reading room opened on the second floor of Hollis Library this month, giving students and visitors a place to study more than 4,000 historic maps of the region.

The collection includes 1880s survey maps of the Tumble River, Forest Service fire maps and hand-drawn trail maps donated by local families. About 600 maps are already digitized and searchable online.

"These maps show how people have understood this landscape for 150 years," said curator Peter Lund. "Our history and environmental science students are already using them side by side with satellite images."

The reading room is open by appointment Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Email plund@tumbleberry.site at least two business days ahead.