Last night I was honored to be a witness to the unveiling of a special instrument; Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon's Transit and Equal Altitude Instrument. It was lost/hidden and found in roughly 1911 under the floorboards of the bell tower of Independence Hall's bell tower. The telescope and hanging level were the only parts found. This instrument has been in Jeff Lock's restoration and rebuild in Tallmadge Ohio for a couple years. read here for more details of the rebuild/restoration
Last night, in celebration of the 250 year anniversary of the groundbreaking scientific marvel of the Mason-Dixon Line, it was on display.
I saw some pictures of this come across my Facebook feed last night. Beautiful instrument!
ktb973, post: 339857, member: 8891 wrote: I saw some pictures of this come across my Facebook feed last night. Beautiful instrument!
It will be returned to the NPS at Independence Hall for permanent display in a few weeks. Next weekend there will be a re-setting of Crownstone 40 in Baltimore County, as well as another display of the theodolite, prior to its arrival in Philly.
Moe Shetty, post: 339863, member: 138 wrote: It will be returned to the NPS at Independence Hall for permanent display in a few weeks. Next weekend there will be a re-setting of Crownstone 40 in Baltimore County, as well as another display of the theodolite, prior to its arrival in Philly.
Eddie, Read where? I think the link is missing
When will that be happening next weekend? I might have to try to tear myself away from the kitchen renovations for a little while, since that's only about half an hour from my house.
Keith, I am not certain. I think you might need to poke around some of the historic preservation organizations.
I saw this on the Mason & Dixon Line Preservation Partnership Facebook page today regarding the unveiling of mile marker stone 46 next weekend:
On Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 PM this replica Mason-Dixon Mile Stone will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony. This was one of two replica stones on display at the Maryland Historical Society when the only surviving instrument used during the Historic survey, The John Bird Transit and Equal Altitude Instrument, was restored and unveiled at the Reception on October 8.
The stone unveiling will be at the intersection of York Road, (Maryland Route 45) and the Mason & Dixon Line. It is about 1000 feet west of where Interstate 83 crosses the line. If you are available to attend, please come.
I visited one of their monuments years ago.