The Historical Association of Lewiston's September program is titled "Mapping the Frontier - A Study of 18th Century Surveying and Mapping Techniques." The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida St.
Historian Jason Buckley will teach guests how, by using a few simple tools, military officers, engineers and private gentlemen of means of the 18th century were able to create fantastically detailed maps of the world around them. Participants will learn about the art and science of surveying and cartography in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and about the tools of the trade and how they were used to map the frontier. If time and weather permit, guests will be able to try their hand at surveying the church grounds.
Buckley is an independent scholar who is currently working on projects with the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center to create an exhibit to tell the story of the Portage route from the Lower Landing to the upper Niagara River. He spent the past nine years working with the Old Fort Niagara Association as the manager of interpretive programming. During his time with the Old Fort Niagara Association, he began to explore historic surveying techniques and eventually presented papers regarding historical surveying and cartography to the U.S. Army Corps geographers in West Virginia, as well as locally at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. He obtained his bachelor's degree in history and geography.
This event is free and open to all, and refreshments will be served.
