Surveyors Historical Society Rendezvous 2017 Concord MA

I was hoping that someone that was more familiar with, or was at the whole event, would write up a report. I made a reference to the Rendezvous in a previous post regarding NSPS but it doesn't really do the event justice! I hope that I can!

The Surveyors Rendezvous was held in Concord MA last week to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Henry David Thoreau- ( ask Chas Langelan on the correct pronunciation of 'Thoreau'.) There were over 124 attendees, enough that 4 buses were required for the tours! Folks were assigned a color/bus so that all could see the various sites without overcrowding them. The buses alternated visit between the members, it worked great. You may be aware, or it may be obvious, but I am not used to group travel and site seeing so my Friday trip was a new experience for me.

I arrived in time for lunch on Thursday, having spent a few hours at work in the morning. I missed the morning sessions which included Patrick Chura and Kimberly S. Bucheit speaking on Thoreau, as Land Surveyor (Chura) and a Toddlers Perspective of following in the Footsteps of Thoreau (Buchiet). After lunch it was tour time! I spent the afternoon preparing for my talk the next morning but the tour included;
1) Walden Pond
2) Concord Free Library
3) Battle Road
4) Minuteman National Park
5) Old North Bridge

At 4:30 we all met at Sleepy Hollow Cemetary to dedicate the "Final Point" for Henry David. Dave Ingram had set a brass disk (see picture) and Curt Sumner (NSPS) gave a dedication speech.

After the tours it was dinner time! Donald A. Wilson gave a humorous talk, after dinner, on "Deeds I Have Known (But Could Have Done Without.) Try placing a four sided triangle on the ground!

Saturday morning we gathered for breakfast before Patrick Chura's talk about Thoreau and the Walden Map. Somehow he managed to bring Herman Melville (another surveyor!) into the story, too. I spoke on the "Unique Massachusetts Land Court," the a presentation on the Hoosac Tunnel, and another on the Massachusetts-Rhode island Boundary disputes. Then, once again, to the buses for tours!
I took the Walden Pond/Battle Road/Minuteman Park bus and enjoyed an hour and a half at Walden during a beautiful afternoon. If I had thought to bring my swimsuit I would have taken a dip! Some folks were swimming but I waded.
We walked two mile of the Battle Road passing 5 "Witness Houses", Paul Revere's capture site, and ended at the Hartwell Tavern. (A tavern in name only!) I made it to the tavern just in time for the final reenactment of the day, so I was witness to several musket shots, forced to march and pretend to fire!

Friday evening was a picnic at the Concord Rod and Gun Club. the food was great, the company even better, and a fun night was had by me!

Here's some pictures, but I'm hoping that others will share theirs too! Thank yo goes out to Rich Leu and Dave Ingram, as they are the ones that I know, Patrick Chura for his willingness to cooperate, and everyone for attending!

I did not bring my camera on the Battle Road walk so I hope that others did, and will contribute!

Another "Beerlegger" besides Rich and Dave (banned) was Jim Vianna from N. Nice to meet you Jim!