History at the Old Stone Fort: Telescoping Level & Uniform Buttons

Telescopic Level

Telescopic levels were used by surveyors and engineers to measure changes in elevation over long distances and this example was sent to us by the Old Stone Fort’s Clay Edmunds.

This level was manufactured around 1860 by Edmund and George William Blunt of New York City. It was used by George T. Lape, a civil engineer who helped design and construct the ramps and railroad approaches associated with the Brooklyn Bridge. He was also involved in the design and construction of some of the earliest bridges spanning the Connecticut River.

Donated by Samuel J. Lape.

Pennsylvania Uniform Buttons

These pewter buttons were worn on military uniforms during the American Revolution. Each state’s troops typically had distinctive uniform buttons that helped identify their regiment or state affiliation. 

The 4th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Army was stationed at the Middle Fort, located in present-day Middleburgh, during 1778 and early 1779. The fort later came under attack during the 1780 Johnson-Brant Raid.