The Richard Umansky Living Trust gifted an antique map collection to the University of Haifa. The rare collection includes over 30 artistic maps and historical atlases adorned with biblical illustrations and Christian narratives that suggest they might have been used for pilgrimages. According to Dr. Zur Shalev (Head of the Department of General History and Co-founder and Director of the Haifa Center for Mediterranean History) the historical collection dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Dr. Richard Umansky (z”l) was a pediatrician by profession, and an avid traveler, outdoorsman and historian. The American Society of the University of Haifa assisted in the delicate transfer of the collection from California to Haifa.

*Copies of the collection from the 16th – 17th century are now on display at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library.