Mapping the Stories That Shape Our World

We believe that maps do more than guide—they tell powerful stories. Our special projects often transcend what people think of as traditional cartography, delving into historical, environmental, and cultural narratives that shape our understanding of the world. 

These projects—led by our founder,award-winning cartographer Michael Hermann—span historical, environmental, and cultural cartography. Through deep research, thoughtful design, and innovative storytelling, we use maps topreserve the past, engage the present, and inspire the future.

Some Featured Special Projects by Michael Hermann

 Historical Atlas of Maine

Authors: Stephen J. Hornsby and Richard W. Judd (Editors); Michael J. Hermann (Cartographic Designer)​

This comprehensive atlas presents the historical geography of Maine from the end of the last ice age to the year 2000. Organized into four chronological sections, it tells the stories of the many peoples who have inhabited Maine over the past 13,000 years. The atlas features a rich array of newly created maps and graphics created by  Michael James Hermann, and offers a cartographic interpretation and visual record of the state's history that is unparalleled.

This atlas won a boatload of awards!

• Globe Book Award for Public Understanding of Geography – American Association of Geographers, 2016​
• Best of Show – Cartography and Geographic Information Society, 2016​
• Best Book/Atlas – Cartography and Geographic Information Society, 2016​
• Excellence in Publishing Award – Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, 2016​

Purchase Link: University of Maine Press 

Champlain Map: "They Would Not Take Me There"

Authors/Cartographers: Michael James Hermann and Margaret Wickens Pearce; Translator: Raymond Pelletier​

This award-winning map illustrates the travels of Samuel de Champlain as he explored what is now Canada between 1603 and 1616. It weaves together Native and non-Native experiences, negotiations, and strategies in the years before the creation of Québec City and New France. The map presents stories through a combination of Champlain's journal entries, imagined dialogues, and cartographic insights.​ The narrative was sourced directly from Champlain's journals, and the original Native placenames were researched and included along with their meaning.

Purchase at: Canadian-American Center 

Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail

Author: Michael Hermann​, James Eric Francis Sr, Margaret Wickens Pearce

This map illustrates Thoreau's three trips to Maine in 1846, 1853, and 1857 with his Wabanaki guides.Quotes from his writings are placed on the map in the locations he wrote them, and place names are shown with the current name, the Wabanaki name, and the meaning. James Eric Francis, Penobscot Nation Tribal Historian, collaborated on this project and wrote the Wabanaki Perspective on the map. This project was funded by Maine Woods Forever and the University of Maine. 

Purchase at: Walden Pond Shop

Maine's Ice Age Trail Down East Map and Guide

Authors: Halold Borns Ph.D. (Lead Scientist, University of Maine); Michael J. Hermann (Lead Cartographer, University of Maine)​with Robert Marvinney Ph.D. and Woodrow Thompson Ph.D., Maine Geological Survey, Maine Department of Conservation.

The Maine Ice Age Trail Map and Guide is a self-guided eco-tourism map that leads the visitor to 46 stops to see and learn about the last Ice Age. It illustrates the edge of the glacier as it retreated 15,300 years ago. It was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Climate Change Institute of Maine.

This map is out of print but the Ice Age Trail has been put on-line here.

Trailhead Media, Informational Kiosks & Tribute Mapping

Informational Kiosks & Trailhead Media

In addition to historical narrative mapping, Purple Lizard Maps does special projects that help state and local officials, land managers, and non-profits contextualize outdoor recreation and public land resources for broad audiences. Our award winning expertise and 35 years of experience in the outdoor recreation space position us well as a partner for special projects focused on the outdoors. From parks to trail systems, our kiosk and trail maps help visitors connect with the recreation opportunities in their environment, understand recreation assets and plan their adventures.

Services:

• Custom Cartography for local and state outdoor recreation needs 
• Information Kiosks
• Trailhead Media & Signage
• Public Land & Outdoor Recreation Custom Mapping​

For collaboration inquiries or to learn more about our special projects, please contact us: info(at)purplelizard.com