Surveyor's Compass 1797 - 1800

This Surveyor's Compass was crafted by John Heilig, an American instrument maker active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The compass embodies a pivotal period in American history, marked by westward expansion and the displacement of Native American populations. Surveying tools like this were not merely instruments of measurement; they were tools of power, used to map, divide, and claim land. They played a crucial role in shaping the physical and political landscape of the United States. These instruments were often made by skilled artisans like Heilig. As we consider the craftsmanship, we must also reflect on the human cost of expansion and the ethical implications of land surveying during this era. The compass becomes a symbol of both progress and dispossession, prompting us to consider whose perspectives are included and excluded in our narratives of American history.