Early 1800s surveying demonstrations at New Salem

[October 01, 2009]  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, 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, Mich., 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 may also be viewed. Abraham Lincoln used similar equipment while serving as deputy Sangamon County surveyor from 1833 to 1837.

One-hour PowerPoint programs presented by Bob Church will be offered in the Visitor Center Theater. "A. Lincoln with Compass and Chain" will be presented on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 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. Tours are free, although a donation of $4 for adults, $2 for children or $10 per family is suggested.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]