Treasure hunting at home.

This is a coat size Civil War uniform button for the Connecticut state militia. It has the “CNG” lettering on the face of the button that stands for Connecticut National Guard.  The original back and shank are present with the correct Civil War era maker’s mark from Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut. Scovill was the largest producer of uniform buttons for the Civil War effort. This is the pattern listed as figure CT20 in Albert’s button book and CT210a1 in Tice’s button book, . Tice states that in 1865 the state of Connecticut joined the local militias into a more organized state National Guard. This button would have been from that circa 1865 time frame. (According to Historian Robert Ellis)

Lid of an old canning jar circa 1900

Two weeks ago I came across a real treasure hunt while driving down Main Street, Durham. Overcome by curiosity, I had to stop and see. Looking like the characters from Ghostbusters, more than 25 men scoured the grounds of a historical home with metal detectors.  After some time talking and oogling at their finds, they had an open invitation to come to my old house. Only a week later hunter’s Bob and Roger would come armed with shovels hoping to find something of historical value. Part of what brings you to live in an old house is the intrigue that comes with it.  The fabric of living is shared with those that came before us. Despite the generations that separate us, we have mutual experiences. While our guest dug, we too got our hands dirty. Our toy $25 detector was put to use as the kids eyed antique treasures. We were living in the moment, as we contemplated the past.  We unearthed some notable objects. Nothing found would make us rich, but the wealth came in the earthly experience.  The treasures would reinforce the notion that our home was someone else’s before us. We wondered whom? Little clues like a piece of a broach proved the feminine influence here. An unearthed Civil War button for Connecticut’s First National Guard would remind us of a time when slavery was part of this home’s experience.  As we threw the ball for the dog, would the same ground be the place of a soldier's homecoming? We would also find hinges and door straps at the site of a long gone barn. At days end, my kids would realize that other children loved this land too. After examining the artifacts, we lay on the grass. Someone else had done the same before us and others will in the future.  We're all a piece of a growing timeline grounded in the notion of history. Because of this we are all truly connected. 

Part of an old Broach?

I think this is some of Peter's "old" Pirate treasure.

Commonly used to hold table salt.

Ye Old Miller treasure basket.

Kate protecting the newfound treasure!

Just part of the timeline.