04/21/2026
Seekers of history and not metal detecting treasure hunters: Recent Artifact Recovery at Ingleside
We recently had Gary Guidry and Rick Hervey of Louisiana metal-detect our property in hopes of finding important period items to use as we research and share the historical narrative of Ingleside. Such items help us understand the daily activities that took place here and provide more insight into the founding Dunbar-Affleck family (1838 to 1860) and the longest-owning family, the Rawlings and their descendants (1885 to 2018).
Let me start by saying that, as a former museum and preservation administrator and director, I know the oftentimes professional stigma attached to people who metal detect as a hobby as treasure hunters. Although there are good “treasure hunters” who follow the rules and practices, you also have irresponsible and reckless ones who damage property and historic sites in the hope of finding lost plunder. On the other hand, you have true historians who are metal detecting enthusiasts, aware of the historical value of a find over its cash value, and who I have associated with seekers of historical artifacts. My first encounter with this was, of course, the popular cable TV show “Diggers,” but mostly a great couple who I know from my home state, Missouri, the Jackwicks or Jackwick Metal Detecting\ GPR, or simply Chadwick and Jackalyn Oldham. This couple lives in Western Missouri near Kansas City, where I grew up. The Jackwicks, who are true historians and history enthusiasts, have uncovered important historical relics and worked with numerous historical and preservation institutions to research and document Missouri’s Civil War, Mexican War, cemeteries, former antebellum farms and plantations, and other sites, as well as historic sites in other states. Like them, Gary and Rick love history. All of these people are naturally more interested in and excited about the stories behind relics and about uncovering the story of our American history. These individuals provide a valuable service: finding and returning lost items, or working with local individuals and institutions to help identify new archaeological sites and preserve history.
We are so excited to share some of Gary and Rick’s finds, which date from the early 1800s to as recent as the 1960s or early 70s. These finds confirm several things, such as that some type of Civil War incident occurred on our property. They also confirm the presence of antebellum-period activities, including coins, buttons, door or cabinet k***s, and other items. Found also were oil lamp parts, a clam-shaped gold-washed s***f box, and harmonica reeds, which, with others, confirm that someone here loved playing the harmonica. Other artifacts confirm equestrian activities, such as a horse buckle and a lady's or child's saddle stirrup, as well as items related to Thomas Affleck’s business, including a possible hand-forged iron tree stake. We have already found another iron forged tree stake and a carriage step. Even more exciting was a c. 1900 “JMC” insignia button, most likely from a hat or uniform of the historic nearby Jefferson Military College, which sits just a few blocks away here in Washington, Adams County, Mississippi.
