Marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “Becoming Louisiana: Borders in Motion (1688–1812)” examines, through maps, the historical forces that shaped Louisiana’s journey into the United States.

Opening April 8, the exhibition presents historical maps reimagined in line art. Drawn from the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Library of Congress, these maps are stripped of decorative elements to reveal their essential structure. Visitors are invited to trace their evolution, notice what is included — and what is left out — and reflect on how the meaning of “Louisiana” changed over time, from its first appearance on a map in 1688 to its status as a U.S. state in 1812.

By highlighting both form and content, the exhibition encourages a closer look at the stories maps tell — and the stories they omit — offering fresh insight into the making of Louisiana and inviting visitors to draw their own interpretations.