This working paper is an outcome of the first international Open Maps Meeting,organized in November 2024 at the Dutch National Archives and National Library,and funded by Open Science NL, KNAW Humanities Cluster, Stichting Pica andDelft University of Technology. It synthesizes general insights from the Open MapsMeeting in a first introductory overview, intended for a broad scholarly audienceinterested in methodological cartographic and historical mapping advancements.This working paper is primarily based on presentations and input from the expertsessions during the first day of the Open Maps Meeting.