What is "mapparium"

The Mapparium is a three-story-tall globe made of stained glass that is viewed from a bridge through its interior. It is an exhibit at The Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

Built in 1935 and based upon Rand McNally political maps published the previous year, the Mapparium shows the political world as it was at that time, including such long-disused labels as Italian East Africa and Siam, as well as more recently defunct political entities such as the Soviet Union. In 1939, 1958, and 1966 the Church considered updating the map, but rejected it on the basis of cost and the special interest it holds as an historical artifact.