With the opening of its ongoing Exploring the Early Americas exhibit today, the Library of Congress marks the beginning of a transformation that by the Summer of 2008 will “merge cutting-edge technology with the knowledge and inspiration embodied in the Library’s unparalleled collections and curators.”

The exhibit features some of the 3,000 items representing the “beginning” of America (that is, the beginning of European documented America), that Jay I. Kislak has been collecting for more than 50 years and recently donated to the Library. Its highlights include two maps of early America, a 1762 farm diary belonging to George Washington, two printings of the Christopher Columbus letter reporting on his late 15th century discoveries, the Conquest of Mexico paintings which depict Hernando Cortés’ conquest of Mexico on eight massive canvases, and “Bucaneers of America” an eyewitness account of 17th century pirates.

The true jewels of the exhibit are the maps, both drawn by Martin Waldseemüller, and thanks to numerous preservation and light protection techniques, the ones we see are the original versions.