Go with your gut.  We have posted rules, and this is one of them - no metal detectors.  Any in-ground investigation should be conducted by trained archeologists who would fully document what they find.

Regards,
Ella Aderman
Historic Site Supervisor
Pennypacker Mills
Division of Parks, Trails & Historic Sites
5 Haldeman Road
Schwenksville, PA 19473
610-287-9349


From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cindy Boyer
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 2:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] metal detector folk on your property

I received a phone call today from an "amateur metal detector searcher" who wanted to ask permission to use his metal detector on our historic site property - a 3 acre site in a suburban setting.  The caller lives in the neighborhood,  and we maintain an open grounds policy to the neighbors.  Neighbors stroll the grounds, walk their dogs (cleaning up after them, of course.)  It gives a presence to a site that is not staffed full time, and keeps good feelings with the neighbors who are inconvenienced when we have 1 or 2 large events a year.

The caller said anything he finds that might be of valuable to the site (a spoon, a button - whatever) he would give to us, but anything modern he finds (a lost piece of jewelry) he would keep.

What is your experience in this field?  Do you have a written policy?  Do you deal with people who just "show up?" I'm grateful he called rather than just appearing on the scene with the detector.  My gut says no, but I'd like some rationale behind my gut.


Cindy Boyer
Director of Public Programs
The Landmark Society of Western New York
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY  14608
(585) 546-7029 ext. 12
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Fax:  (585) 546-4788

www.landmarksociety.org<http://www.landmarksociety.org/>
Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258>




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