Mason & Dixon’s Original Instrument Being Restored
The most
historically-significant surveying instrument in America ― Mason & Dixon’s
astronomical transit, used on the 5-year colonial survey of Maryland, Delaware
and Pennsylvania following the French & Indian War ― is being restored to its full original condition.
A
masterpiece of science and technology by English instrument-maker John Bird in
1760, all that remains today of Mason & Dixon’s ‘Transit and Equal Altitude
Instrument’, are its deteriorated telescope, trunnions, and striding level. The
instrument was last used in the field by David Rittenhouse and Andrew Ellicott
in western Pennsylvania in 1784.
At least
$25,000 must be raised from private sources to cover the cost for this
restoration. A non-profit NPS support group, “The Friends of Independence
National Historical Park,” has been trying since September to raise the
money. They seek fully tax-deductible private donations
from individuals and
organizations. Visit www.nsps.us.com for the donation form.
Several
professional organizations have made substantial donations, among them
Surveyors Historical Society (SHS,) the District of Columbia Association of
Land Surveyors (DCALS,) and the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers
(MSPE.) Contributions have been coming in from surveyors all across the
country, but the goal is far from met.
Once
completed, the beautifully-restored instrument will become part of the main
public display at Independence Hall. Each donor’s name will be inscribed in a
large leather book to be entitled, “A Gift to the Nation”, which will be
permanently displayed with the transit.
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