Guides: Primary Sources (U.S. History): Explorers

Explorers

Purpose

This is a selected bibliography of primary source collections pertaining to early explorers in U.S. history available online. Please note, the library is not responsible for the content on these sources and it is the student's responsibility to properly cite from the proper location. There may also be secondary sources included in these collections and it is up to the student to evaluate if the item qualifies as a primary or secondary source.

American Journeys
This site contains thousands of pages of first hand experiences of people who traversed North America - from the Vikings to 19th century mountain men. A wide range of viewpoints are included (Native Americans, missionaries, traders, explorers, settlers and more). From the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Digital History: The First Americans
Transcriptions of significant primary source documents pertaining to the early history of North America.
Early American Maps: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
From Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, 100 digitized maps of early America spanning from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Early Americas Digital Archives
Searchable database of electronic texts about the Americas (1492-1820).
Images of Christopher Columbus and His Voyages: Selections from the Collections of the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress, a selection of portraits and prints of Christoper Columbus and his voyages.
Library of Congress: Exploration and Explorers
From the Library of Congress, songs, maps, documents and illustrations focused on Hispanic exploration and Explorers of America.