Survey says...1830s Surveying event October 7 and 8 at Lincoln's New Salem

PETERSBURG - Land surveying was one of the many jobs held by young Abraham Lincoln at New Salem, and that profession will be featured during the annual Historic Surveying event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site near Petersburg.  The event is free and open to the public.

 

            Re-enactors in period clothing from the Museum of Surveying in Lansing, Michigan and the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association will use antique surveying equipment to demonstrate how the task was performed in the early 1800s.  A period campsite, a display of surveying instruments, and plats and maps will be available for public viewing.  Abraham Lincoln used similar equipment while serving as Deputy Sangamon County Surveyor from 1833 - 1837.

 

            Two one-hour programs will be offered in the Visitor Center theater on Saturday, October 7:  "Men Behind the Maps," 10 a.m., presented by Lisa Jacobs, curator of the Museum of Surveying in Lansing, Michigan; and "A. Lincoln, Deputy Sangamon County Surveyor," presented at 1 p.m. by Bob Church.  Sunday, October 8 programs will include:  "Early Surveying in Illinois and the Rectangular System" presented at 10 a.m. by Bob Church; and "Creating and Constructing the A. Lincoln Deputy Sangamon County Surveyor Statue" presented at 1 p.m.by Bob Church and John McClarey, the statue sculptor.

 

            The 1830s replica flatboat that was specially constructed this year to mark the 175^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's arrival at New Salem will be on display at the New Salem Saw and Grist Mill along the Sangamon River.

 

            Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is a re-creation of the 1830s log village where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years.  It is located along Route 97 about two miles south of Petersburg and 20 miles northwest of Springfield, and is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours.