My colleague, Jeanne Niccolls of the Fairfax County Park Authority asked me to share this with the list. > > > > "Natural Philosophy" and the Domestic Sphere: Scientific Instruments > > in the Early American Home, 1750-1850 - The role of scientific instruments > > in daily life is the focus of an upcoming symposium sponsored by the > > Fairfax County Park Authority and the George Mason University Department > > of History. The program will be presented on Friday, March 29, 2002, at > > the university in Fairfax, Virginia. > > > > An historical portrayal of a period surveyor by Jim Daniel > > (Consultant) opens the program. Michael O'Malley (George Mason University) > > surveys the cultural, social and technological development of the history > > of science ("natural philosophy.") Deborah Warner (National Museum of > > American History) discusses at the scientific instruments used by educated > > and wealthy gentlemen in their "natural philosophy" pursuits and as > > entertaining curiosities for middling classes. Jon Nese (The Franklin > > Institute) explores early attempts at weather prediction. Beth Bisbano > > (American Clock & Watch Museum) examines timekeeping, clocks and > > associated devices. > > > > Tabletop exhibits and demonstrations of period clocks and barometers > > and other instruments, survey equipment and "chaining", making and reading > > sundials, weather-related folklore and other associated interpretive > > activities accompany the program. Related resource books will be on sale. > > > > Prepaid registrations are required and must be postmarked by March > > 15, 2002. The $50.00 fee covers all sessions of the symposium, > > parking and lunch. For information and registration forms write to the > > Collections Manager, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government > > Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, Virginia, 22035, phone 703/631-1429 or > > 703/708-0861, fax 703/631-8319 or e-mail > > [log in to unmask] > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html