Conference luner::metal_detecting

    Jeez.  Anybody got any research stories or anything?  Spring
    ain't that far off.
    
    -Vin

Well I'm working on a couple right now, Vin, but I'm only just getting into 
it.  

A recently published book on a particular section of a city west of Boston,
mentioned a park that was very well known and then a recreation area that I had 
not heard of.  It mentioned the kinds of activities and facilities there and
about where it was located.  I looked at a 1946 map of this city and saw an
outline of one of the features mentioned at this recreation area.  A went to 
the library at this city and found some older maps but they only showed me 
the same detail I already had.  I need to compare the 1946 map to a modern 
map next to piece together what may be there today.  There has been a lot of 
development in this area and nothing may remain of this area.  Will know 
soon.  While at the library,  I saw mention in a couple of books of 
gatherings held by church groups at xxxxxx park, which is another one I 
haven't heard of.  I'll have to find out if xxxxxx park, is in that same 
city or a nearby city or town.  

I asked the reference librarian if the Special collections room held any 
older aerial photographs of the city.  She told me that the Historical 
Society had some.  Looks like that may be my next stop.

Also while at the Library, I was browsing thru 3-4 different history books 
on ths city and came up with some possible leads just by starting with the 
index, looking for key words, like:

	- celebrations
	- parks
	- recreation
	- schools
	- taverns
	

    It's a little early yet, but my plan is to visit the local historical
    society and read up on early history, look at old pictures, etc.
    
    I've been to the library and looked at old city maps, and old fire maps
    but didn't really get into them as I was just curious at the time what
    the library had.
    
    I've got a few sites in mind that I'll be seeking permission to hunt as
    soon as the ground thaws. They all range from the late 1700's to early
    1800's. I've also been made aware of some old cellar holes up in New
    Hampshire that I'm anxious to hunt.
    
    I've got another idea that may turn out to be a hopeless cause, but I'd
    like to try and contact whatever military authority still exists on
    Ft. Devens and see if I could organize a hunt on some old areas of the
    Fort. I'm sure there are some old areas that used to be barracks and
    havn't been used since WWI. Back in the early 1900's, it used to be
    Camp Devens. I'd try and get permission for maybe 20 people to hunt the
    area on the grounds that this may be the last opportunity to locate
    historical artifacts before the Fort is gone forever. Who knows. Might
    work. I "do" know that there at least used to be a Fort Devens museum
    on post so maybe the idea would strike a cord with someone. It's worth
    a try at least.
    
    All I know is, I'm REALLY looking forward to spring.

    I remember a few years ago I was researching a site on the
    Bedford/Lexington town line (Massachusetts).  It was a
    turn-of-the-century park with a carousel and a few rides
    and amusements.  It was the last stop on the trolley from
    Cambridge which ran along Mass Ave.  I forget the name of
    the park, but I scouted it out one time and the area is
    still wooded (or was then).  It is bordered
    by streets, but the actual park area isn't built.  There are
    old photos and info on it in the Lexington Library.
    
    I was able to find the bear cave (one of the attractions of the park was 
    a trained bear), the goldfish pond, and remains of the bridge which 
    went over the pond.  The whole area is about 20-30 acres.
    
    I never detected there, but ya'll might want to check it out!
    
    -Vin 

    Anyone familiar with the old gold mine in a town
    down on Rt 495 south of the Mass Pike?  Anyone ever
    dig around down there?  I've seen the location and have
    a copy of an old photo of the mine, but have never
    really poked around it.

    I'll carry this note by myself 
    
        %^)
    
    

    Nope. Never heard of it. Didn't even know we had "gold in them thar
    hills".
    
    I "have" been doing some research in the library and with the local
    historical society and have some promising places to hunt. Turns out
    there's an old park almost in my back yard that hasn't been used in
    nearly 100 years. Other people have been out there with detectors, but
    not for a number of years so the equipment is better now. Still trying
    to pinpoint the exact location.
    
    Also got a lead on another spot that used to be an amusement park back
    at the turn of the century. This place hasn't been used in nearly 100
    years either. Not only that, but there was also train access to the
    park. This is another place I'm still trying to pin down. I walked
    around the general area Saturday before last and found an area with
    some old foundations but I'm not sure this is the right place. Need to
    get more detail.
    
    I went out this past Sunday with a couple of guys who have been
    detecting for a couple of years. We were up in the Gardner Ashburnham
    area way out in the woods. We detected 3 old celler holes and saw
    several more. Unfortunately, the ground was still frozen up there so we
    didn't do much digging. One of the guys got lucky and found a merc dime
    and an 1879 indian head. I got several good signals but couldn't dig
    them due to the frozen ground. I did manage to come up with a silver
    crucifix though. Found it on the side of an old road.
    
    I also found a guy that is friends with an elderly woman in Ashburnham
    who lives in an old mid 1700's Inn. I remember reading something about
    this place several years ago. Seems one of the beams in the house had
    George Washington's signature written on it, or initials carved into it
    or something like that. Anyway, what ever it was that had to do with
    George was authenticated by the historical society. So, I guess she can
    say "George Washington slept here". Point is, no one has EVER detected
    there before and this guy feels she won't mind at all if someone does.
    Guess who I'll be getting introduced to in another month or so.
    
    So, it looks to be a promising season with the potential for some great
    finds. Now if Mother Nature would just LIGHTEN UP............8^)
    
    Steve