28 clearly prove that Mr. Jefferson’s concluding that race of men were void of mental endowments, was without foundation.” A clear rebuke of Thomas Jefferson’s position on the race question. Rising above the fray, Banneker was respected and celebrated by great surveyors of his time and his accomplishments as a self-educated man are awe-inspiring. Banneker’s contributions to the survey of Washington, DC, were fairly short lived. Due to the onset of illness, his participation in the survey with Ellicott actually only lasted about three months. However, during this short time he secured his place in the history of our country and surveying heritage. Public parks in Maryland; Washington, DC; and Virginia bear his name and celebrate his life. [Photo 2] During the recent NSPS spring business meeting, I had the opportunity to visit Benjamin Banneker Park in Arlington, Virginia, which is just a short walk from the East Falls Church Metro Station. The park contains boundary monument SW-9 on the original DC boundary. [Photo 3] Set in 1791, this stone and others like it still exist today in relatively good condition. As credited on the signage, this is due to the efforts of the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapters and the National Park Service. It was a privilege to reach out and touch the oldest survey monument I’ve ever visited and imagine the trials and tribulations of our fellow surveyors in 1791, no matter the color of their skin. [Photo 4] Join NSPS in the celebration of the life of Benjamin Banneker, 2022 Global Surveyor of the Year, and his many accomplishments related to surveying, science, and clock making. May we have many more accomplished peers like him in our future. For more information watch this short biography on Banneker’s life: References • Benjamin Banneker—White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org) • Benjamin Banneker—Farmers' Almanac (farmers almanac.com) • Benjamin Banneker—Clock, Inventions & Facts–Biography • Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum– Baltimore County (baltimorecountymd.gov) continued By the limited historical record that is available, Banneker was a man who stood on his own two feet and wanted his accomplishments to stand on their own with the surveyors of his time. Photo 4. The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 45, No. 3 The Lost Surveyor
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