Andover — The Andover Historical Society will be holding its last Open House of the season at the Tucker Mountain School, on Sunday, October 13, 1 to 3 PM. This month’s host volunteers are Frank Baker and his daughter Emily Baker. They will be sharing their love of metal detecting and showing visitors their collection of found treasures.

Frank has been a life-long bottle digger and collector. About 12 years ago he acquired a metal detector from his father and began searching for buried items around his property. He recalls that his first real treasure was an 1800s bronze cast plate of a 1600s Catholic Pope. Emily Baker, Frank’s daughter, got her first metal detector about four years ago. They enjoy treasure hunting together. Her favorite find thus far is an officer’s belt plate from the War of 1812.

Detectors pick up metal objects the size of a ring or button, up to and about 10 inches below the surface. “It really depends on the size of the object and its position,” Emily says. Items in their collections include: bells, buckles, buttons from the uniforms across many wars, jewelry, tools, farm items, spoons, and coins, to name a few.

Brass and copper items hold up pretty well buried in the ground. Iron and mixed alloy tend to be the most common items around farms and they corrode. Metals were recycled and mixed when melted down and forged into something new.

The Tucker Mountain School was built in 1837 and served the mountain community for 55 years. The society welcomes school groups and others to arrange for visits throughout the year. Please contact Donna at donnabh@nulltds.net.