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BUTTE- The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives is featuring a new map exhibit.

The exhibit called "Trailmakers: Mapping Montana History" is produced by Kim Lugthart. The maps show the evolution of the state of Montana between 1833 and 1897. They show the Montana territory emerging and the division of the land as it becomes more settled.

Each map is a full-size reproduction covered with an acrylic coating allowing visitors to get as close to the maps as they like.

"She wanted people to get up close to them to see the details," said Irene Scheidecker, archive technician for the Butte Public Archives. "She didn't even want glass, the reflections off the glass change the way the map looks."

The collection includes three hand-etched copper plates that were used to produce a map of Butte in 1904 by the U.S. Geological Survey.

"It allows you to see the progression over 150 years, which in the space of history is not really a long time, how much Montana has changed," Scheidecker said.

The exhibit will be on display at the Butte archives through August 31st.