Joseph Foord's Theodolite

Local man, Joseph Foord, used this theodolite for an amazing engineering task. The geology of the North York Moors meant that although there appears to be plenty of water, many villages could be left high and dry in the summer. Water was hauled in with barrels, which was an arduous task. Joseph Foord realised by taking advantage of the natural slope of the landcape, water could be diverted to these villages using ‘water races’.

Joseph used this very theodolite to survey the landscape, giving him precision measurements and angles. These ingenious water races were constructed in such a clever and precise way, that they sometimes gave the impression that water was flowing uphill!

Joseph Foord constructed over 70 miles of water races, many of which remained in use through much of the twentieth century. Foord was a local engineering ‘hero’ and it is the Museum’s honour to have such an important piece of his kit in our collection.

Although, the theolodite is tucked safely away in the Museum’s store, you can see small reconstruction of a ‘Foord’s watercourse’ at the Museum, using stones from some of the original watercourses in the area.