Cartography Comes Alive
Join us at Xplorer Maps' world headquarters in Missoula, MT, for Cartography Comes Alive (CCA)—our monthly event series running from September through May. Each event showcases extraordinary explorers, engaging storytellers, and expert educators who bring the world to life through their incredible journeys and insights.
Whether you're an adventure seeker, travel enthusiast, national park lover, or history buff, you'll find inspiration in every presentation.
📍 Location: Xplorer Maps Brick-and-Mortar Store, 1245 S 3rd St W, Missoula
🎟 Admission: Most Cartography Comes Alive events are free, though some special programs require a ticket purchase. Due to high demand, all tickets—free or paid—must be reserved in advance via RSVP or purchase. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees on a first-come, first-served basis at the start of the event.
FREE EVENT
Father Pierre Jean De Smet, the Mapmaker
Featuring: Sally Thompson , Award-Winning Author & Anthropologist
Sally Thompson traces the remarkable journey of Father Pierre Jean De Smet—a restless young Belgian Jesuit whose path to the American West unexpectedly led him to become one of the most influential mapmakers of the 19th century. Alongside his religious studies, De Smet learned advanced cartographic techniques and applied them while traveling through the headwater lands of the Columbia and Missouri rivers.
Drawing on a newly discovered 1858–59 illustrated field journal, Thompson reveals how De Smet mapped the land and recorded life along the old trails he explored. His maps would go on to shape treaty negotiations and territorial boundaries that still matter today, offering insight into the intersections of cartography, culture, and power in the American West.
📅 February 24, 2026 | ⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM | 📍 1245 S 3rd St W, Missoula
Events Archive
Cartography Comes Alive
Past talks, films, and storytelling at the intersection of maps, land, and culture.
Past Events
2026
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2025
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2024
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FAQ
Are tickets free?
Yes! Most Cartography Comes Alive events are free to attend, though some special programs may require a ticket purchase. For free events, seating is limited, so we encourage guests to reserve their spot early with an online RSVP. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees at the start of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I get tickets or reserve my seat?
To reserve your tickets, visit our event page: xplorermaps.com/pages/cartography-comes-alive. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees at the start of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I Call to reserve tickets?
Short answer: no. Due to high demand, all tickets for ticketed events must be reserved in advance through RSVP or purchase.
When should I arrive?
Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Seats are first come, first serve. We encourage you to pick up tickets early.
Please arrive by 10 minutes before the storytelling starts. If you are unable to make it, give your tickets away or let us know, so we can give them away for you.
What if I didn't get tickets?
Admission for non-ticket holders is not guaranteed and will depend on availability. We recommend arriving promptly at show time to increase your chances of getting a seat.
To accommodate all guests, any unclaimed reserved seats will be opened up to walk-in attendees at time of event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is Cartography Comes Alive located?
Join us at Xplorer Maps' headquarters in Missoula, MT.
Address: 1245 S 3rd St West, Missoula
Phone: 406-546-4972