Rand McNally – Truly an Honor!

What a great honor to be offered a private tour of a company that dates back to 1856.

We were cordially greeted at the Rand McNally Headquarters by John Peters, VP/GM Digital Strategy for Rand McNally.  We were given the grand tour and met so many of the wonderful employees at Rand who are following the Road Rally participants. Several things that really impressed us-we’d like to share with you all.  The globe wall- a variety of globes from many years, one on top of each other(strung with steel cable) from floor to ceiling. Many rows of globes filled one huge wall.

Visit the Rand Mcnally website – click here.

The air in the room would make them spin ever so slightly on the cable. Another wall on one floor contained road atlases from the years, beautifully displayed in plexi glass holders. It’s incredible to think that we were in the presence of the archives of a captured evolution of cartography that is Rand McNally. What an amazing accomplishment buy any single organization all started by William Rand and Andrew McNally.

The floors of the building are named for countries (ie Africa) and the conference rooms named for Cities in that country (ie Nairobi)Quite clever- since they are THE MAP PEOPLE. Our visit to the basement of Archives took us behind 3 locked and 2 keyed doors that few people get to see.

Learn more about Rand McNally on Wikipedia – click here.

We felt very special and the number of old atlases and maps was astounding.  A very special 1945 atlas from the archives was given to us in memory of our visit as well a reproduction from the original Vallard Atlas by Rand McNally.  We also saw some documents of sales dating back to 1896.

 

We were privileged to have a few moments with CEO Dave Muscatel, who wished us safe travels to Los Angeles.
The Fund Finders, next stop Burnsville, Minn.
Have a wonderful day, Jim & Bonnie Parr

And Were Off To Our First Destination

We are The Fun Finders.  Yesterday day started with our baggage all getting red stickered- we are the red shirt team.  From 8-11 we anxiously awaited the ride to Liberty Park. I had my stress fuzzy ball and tossed it at Jeff.  When I told him what it was,  he asked if it used to be [...]