The Map Center
@mapcenter.com
Andrew Middleton
Cartographer, GIS specialist and educator
A 'Peddler of Wheres' and owner of the oldest map store on the East Coast, The Map Center in Pawtucket RI. It's like a hip record store but for maps.
www.mapcenter.com
Linktr.ee/ecoandrewtrc
Cartographer, GIS specialist and educator
A 'Peddler of Wheres' and owner of the oldest map store on the East Coast, The Map Center in Pawtucket RI. It's like a hip record store but for maps.
www.mapcenter.com
Linktr.ee/ecoandrewtrc
Pinned
The Map Center
@mapcenter.com
· Dec 17
A mom just came in SO EXCITED to find a map store bc her son would LOVE it.
She tries to be coy. "My son is... Really into maps. Real special kid."
I'm like, ma'am, this is a map store. Half my customers are on the spectrum. I have a trains and transit section. You're among friends.
She tries to be coy. "My son is... Really into maps. Real special kid."
I'm like, ma'am, this is a map store. Half my customers are on the spectrum. I have a trains and transit section. You're among friends.
Woonsocket teacher Tom Kerr-Vanderslice bought his students maps of Rhode Island from AMC and Benchmark and his students have been devouring them.
Also note the map of Turtle Island and TWO globes. A+.
Also note the map of Turtle Island and TWO globes. A+.
September 21, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Woonsocket teacher Tom Kerr-Vanderslice bought his students maps of Rhode Island from AMC and Benchmark and his students have been devouring them.
Also note the map of Turtle Island and TWO globes. A+.
Also note the map of Turtle Island and TWO globes. A+.
Last year I took both shots in the same arm so this year I'm doing Covid in my left arm, flu vaccine in the right.
For symmetry and for science.
For symmetry and for science.
September 21, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Last year I took both shots in the same arm so this year I'm doing Covid in my left arm, flu vaccine in the right.
For symmetry and for science.
For symmetry and for science.
I regret to inform you that this AI plugin for QGIS is very, very good. terra-lab.ai/dashboard/ai...
Will this make me faster? More efficient? Creative? Idk. But I believe that this can help me do things I can imagine. Fortunately I've spent time doing stuff manually so I can imagine a lot.
Will this make me faster? More efficient? Creative? Idk. But I believe that this can help me do things I can imagine. Fortunately I've spent time doing stuff manually so I can imagine a lot.
Sign in - TerraLab
Sign in to your TerraLab account.
terra-lab.ai
September 20, 2026 at 10:21 PM
I regret to inform you that this AI plugin for QGIS is very, very good. terra-lab.ai/dashboard/ai...
Will this make me faster? More efficient? Creative? Idk. But I believe that this can help me do things I can imagine. Fortunately I've spent time doing stuff manually so I can imagine a lot.
Will this make me faster? More efficient? Creative? Idk. But I believe that this can help me do things I can imagine. Fortunately I've spent time doing stuff manually so I can imagine a lot.
Swaddled in soft fleece, you too can be as handsome as an immense body of freshwater straddling two countries!
Got mine! It’s so soft
Hands off the Great Lakes you nasty orange fuck!!! 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
Signed,
-That Geography Gay 🗺️
Hands off the Great Lakes you nasty orange fuck!!! 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
Signed,
-That Geography Gay 🗺️
September 19, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Swaddled in soft fleece, you too can be as handsome as an immense body of freshwater straddling two countries!
Reposted by The Map Center
A similar map with 3D terrain features of Southern California. A great perspective on why there are so many fires in the LA area & why they are hard to fight (terrain, downslope Santa Ana winds). I’ve dropped H2O all over the area 🚁 including by Disney Land & next to the Mount Wilson Observatory.
September 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM
A similar map with 3D terrain features of Southern California. A great perspective on why there are so many fires in the LA area & why they are hard to fight (terrain, downslope Santa Ana winds). I’ve dropped H2O all over the area 🚁 including by Disney Land & next to the Mount Wilson Observatory.
I facilitated my "Map for a Cat" program yesterday for GIS pros at a Geospatial Professional Network conference and I was overexplaining how it may look like a childish activity but it has real applicability etc
And the participants instantly saw the value of it and low key told me to shut up.
And the participants instantly saw the value of it and low key told me to shut up.
September 19, 2026 at 1:54 PM
I facilitated my "Map for a Cat" program yesterday for GIS pros at a Geospatial Professional Network conference and I was overexplaining how it may look like a childish activity but it has real applicability etc
And the participants instantly saw the value of it and low key told me to shut up.
And the participants instantly saw the value of it and low key told me to shut up.
I'm at the Geospatial Professional Network conference at Bridgewater State Uni today.
Just watched a student presentation about their AI app that read property deeds in MA. Their program read and mapped 15 million deeds and mapped where racial covenants excluded people of color. Fascinating work!
Just watched a student presentation about their AI app that read property deeds in MA. Their program read and mapped 15 million deeds and mapped where racial covenants excluded people of color. Fascinating work!
September 18, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I'm at the Geospatial Professional Network conference at Bridgewater State Uni today.
Just watched a student presentation about their AI app that read property deeds in MA. Their program read and mapped 15 million deeds and mapped where racial covenants excluded people of color. Fascinating work!
Just watched a student presentation about their AI app that read property deeds in MA. Their program read and mapped 15 million deeds and mapped where racial covenants excluded people of color. Fascinating work!
I should not write emails when I'm hangry.
That sales rep trying to sell me "correct" equal area maps both did and did not deserve that lengthy response.
That sales rep trying to sell me "correct" equal area maps both did and did not deserve that lengthy response.
September 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM
I should not write emails when I'm hangry.
That sales rep trying to sell me "correct" equal area maps both did and did not deserve that lengthy response.
That sales rep trying to sell me "correct" equal area maps both did and did not deserve that lengthy response.
Just had a helpful customer tell me that he's a millionaire and he wanted to offer me his business advice:
Buy two properties that increase in value over decades during a period of rapid growth!
Buy two properties that increase in value over decades during a period of rapid growth!
The Simpsons: Why Didn't I Think Of That?
ALT: The Simpsons: Why Didn't I Think Of That?
static.klipy.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Just had a helpful customer tell me that he's a millionaire and he wanted to offer me his business advice:
Buy two properties that increase in value over decades during a period of rapid growth!
Buy two properties that increase in value over decades during a period of rapid growth!
Saw a note on IG about Heartleaf Books in Providence selling one of their co-op shares. They do about $200k a year in sales so each of their 1/4 shares is $50,000 buy in.
This is a much more sustainable way to do a low-yield business.
This is a much more sustainable way to do a low-yield business.
September 17, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Saw a note on IG about Heartleaf Books in Providence selling one of their co-op shares. They do about $200k a year in sales so each of their 1/4 shares is $50,000 buy in.
This is a much more sustainable way to do a low-yield business.
This is a much more sustainable way to do a low-yield business.
I did a talk last night in Plymouth and met so many of the attendees when they came up to me and said they saw me on Chronicle Channel 5 or social media.
After three years as the owner of the Map Center, I'm becoming a recognized brand that can pull crowds. Feels good.
After three years as the owner of the Map Center, I'm becoming a recognized brand that can pull crowds. Feels good.
September 16, 2026 at 8:20 PM
I did a talk last night in Plymouth and met so many of the attendees when they came up to me and said they saw me on Chronicle Channel 5 or social media.
After three years as the owner of the Map Center, I'm becoming a recognized brand that can pull crowds. Feels good.
After three years as the owner of the Map Center, I'm becoming a recognized brand that can pull crowds. Feels good.
Last year I paddled the Blackstone River with a GoPro so I could create Mapillary streetview imagery of the river for the Blackstone River Watershed Collaborative.
I just found out today that a PhD student used my data for their project about longitudinal connectivity in aquatic ecosystems.
I just found out today that a PhD student used my data for their project about longitudinal connectivity in aquatic ecosystems.
September 16, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Last year I paddled the Blackstone River with a GoPro so I could create Mapillary streetview imagery of the river for the Blackstone River Watershed Collaborative.
I just found out today that a PhD student used my data for their project about longitudinal connectivity in aquatic ecosystems.
I just found out today that a PhD student used my data for their project about longitudinal connectivity in aquatic ecosystems.
Going to the Plymouth Public Library in Massachusetts this evening to do a talk on Revolutionary War mapping in New England (a subject I have consistently tried to convince them I know very, very little about.)
It will likely include the wildest digressions I have yet attempted.
It will likely include the wildest digressions I have yet attempted.
September 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Going to the Plymouth Public Library in Massachusetts this evening to do a talk on Revolutionary War mapping in New England (a subject I have consistently tried to convince them I know very, very little about.)
It will likely include the wildest digressions I have yet attempted.
It will likely include the wildest digressions I have yet attempted.
Today's edition of Complaint or Humblebrag?
I have too much cool shit. My customers always end up finding multiple things that they think are awesome so they bring a pile up to the counter that they winnow down in anguish. It means I am CONSTANTLY reshelving.
I have too much cool shit. My customers always end up finding multiple things that they think are awesome so they bring a pile up to the counter that they winnow down in anguish. It means I am CONSTANTLY reshelving.
September 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Today's edition of Complaint or Humblebrag?
I have too much cool shit. My customers always end up finding multiple things that they think are awesome so they bring a pile up to the counter that they winnow down in anguish. It means I am CONSTANTLY reshelving.
I have too much cool shit. My customers always end up finding multiple things that they think are awesome so they bring a pile up to the counter that they winnow down in anguish. It means I am CONSTANTLY reshelving.
Have you ever looked really hard for something you haven't seen in a while and started to wonder if you actually threw it out a long time ago? and you're both a little disappointed and also a bit proud you actually threw something away?
September 12, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Have you ever looked really hard for something you haven't seen in a while and started to wonder if you actually threw it out a long time ago? and you're both a little disappointed and also a bit proud you actually threw something away?
The Map Center has been around for 76 years. On October 1 I'll have been the owner for three whole years.
Want to come hang out and celebrate with me?
Thursday October 1, 7PM-9PM
Hang out with some map nerds and see the place lit up after hours!
Want to come hang out and celebrate with me?
Thursday October 1, 7PM-9PM
Hang out with some map nerds and see the place lit up after hours!
September 11, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The Map Center has been around for 76 years. On October 1 I'll have been the owner for three whole years.
Want to come hang out and celebrate with me?
Thursday October 1, 7PM-9PM
Hang out with some map nerds and see the place lit up after hours!
Want to come hang out and celebrate with me?
Thursday October 1, 7PM-9PM
Hang out with some map nerds and see the place lit up after hours!
Reposted by The Map Center
Over on Mastodon (you can find me here: mapstodon.space/@pinakographos), someone was kind, and perhaps disturbed, enough to describe the Asymmetric Monstrosity as their favorite projection. You can freely download a copy here: somethingaboutmaps.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/a...
September 4, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Over on Mastodon (you can find me here: mapstodon.space/@pinakographos), someone was kind, and perhaps disturbed, enough to describe the Asymmetric Monstrosity as their favorite projection. You can freely download a copy here: somethingaboutmaps.wordpress.com/2025/04/10/a...
Obligatory 9/11 observation:
I was in middle school in Central New York. Like a four hour drive from New York City. Nonetheless, our school had a bomb threat and we waited in the gym. There was a certain dissolution of geography. Being in the middle of nowhere no longer felt safe.
I was in middle school in Central New York. Like a four hour drive from New York City. Nonetheless, our school had a bomb threat and we waited in the gym. There was a certain dissolution of geography. Being in the middle of nowhere no longer felt safe.
September 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Obligatory 9/11 observation:
I was in middle school in Central New York. Like a four hour drive from New York City. Nonetheless, our school had a bomb threat and we waited in the gym. There was a certain dissolution of geography. Being in the middle of nowhere no longer felt safe.
I was in middle school in Central New York. Like a four hour drive from New York City. Nonetheless, our school had a bomb threat and we waited in the gym. There was a certain dissolution of geography. Being in the middle of nowhere no longer felt safe.
Reposted by The Map Center
The digestive system as a tube map
Original design by Jack Anderson
www.radiologycafe.com/blog/digesti...
Original design by Jack Anderson
www.radiologycafe.com/blog/digesti...
September 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
The digestive system as a tube map
Original design by Jack Anderson
www.radiologycafe.com/blog/digesti...
Original design by Jack Anderson
www.radiologycafe.com/blog/digesti...
Reposted by The Map Center
Building a great outdoor app starts with a map created specifically for the wild 🏔️
Find out what the most important features of a true outdoor base map are, together with SAC trail difficulty ratings, alpine shelters, or off-limit nature zones.
Blog link in thread 👇
Find out what the most important features of a true outdoor base map are, together with SAC trail difficulty ratings, alpine shelters, or off-limit nature zones.
Blog link in thread 👇
September 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Building a great outdoor app starts with a map created specifically for the wild 🏔️
Find out what the most important features of a true outdoor base map are, together with SAC trail difficulty ratings, alpine shelters, or off-limit nature zones.
Blog link in thread 👇
Find out what the most important features of a true outdoor base map are, together with SAC trail difficulty ratings, alpine shelters, or off-limit nature zones.
Blog link in thread 👇
Adam Greenman wins the primary for Pawtucket mayor! My guy!
September 10, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Adam Greenman wins the primary for Pawtucket mayor! My guy!
I voted in the RI primary this morning. A few uncontested races, sure, but there are also some great opportunities for incremental progress. I'm optimistic for some small wins today.
September 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I voted in the RI primary this morning. A few uncontested races, sure, but there are also some great opportunities for incremental progress. I'm optimistic for some small wins today.
Did you know that I was a child model? I was the Empire Vision glasses kid, the Kinney Drug Store kid and I was in a Raymore and Flanagan Commercial where they taught me how to fall into a couch in slo-mo.
I've lost a bit of the magic but check out these awesome new sweatshirts.
I've lost a bit of the magic but check out these awesome new sweatshirts.
September 8, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Did you know that I was a child model? I was the Empire Vision glasses kid, the Kinney Drug Store kid and I was in a Raymore and Flanagan Commercial where they taught me how to fall into a couch in slo-mo.
I've lost a bit of the magic but check out these awesome new sweatshirts.
I've lost a bit of the magic but check out these awesome new sweatshirts.
I went diving today and I found joy that has been largely absent for me in the past six months. Here's a gay flounder I found.
If you want to go diving with me in RI let me know. I want to be underwater as much as I can before winter comes.
If you want to go diving with me in RI let me know. I want to be underwater as much as I can before winter comes.
September 8, 2026 at 12:11 AM
I went diving today and I found joy that has been largely absent for me in the past six months. Here's a gay flounder I found.
If you want to go diving with me in RI let me know. I want to be underwater as much as I can before winter comes.
If you want to go diving with me in RI let me know. I want to be underwater as much as I can before winter comes.
Reposted by The Map Center
An official seal of approval for the @mapcenter.com kids’ section!
September 7, 2026 at 9:21 PM
An official seal of approval for the @mapcenter.com kids’ section!