in the historic city of Kingston, Ontario, there lived a passionate metal detectorist named Dave Arnold. Known throughout the community for his love of history and knack for finding hidden treasures, Dave had been granted the permission he had been seeking, to explore a privately-owned property with a rich colonial past. Eager to embark on a new adventure, he invited myself,to join him for the day.

On a sunny morning, Dave and I arrived at the property with our metal detectors, & the rest of our gear, as well as a sense of anticipation. This particular plot of land had once been part of an early settlement, dating back to the 18th century when Kingston served as the capital of Upper Canada.

Dave and I began searching the grounds, carefully scanning the soil for any signs of hidden treasures. The rhythmic beeping of our detectors echoed through the air as they meticulously swept the area, hoping to uncover remnants of the past.

After a few minutes of searching, Dave’s detector emitted a high-pitched tone, indicating a potential target. Excitedly, he knelt down and began digging, carefully removing layers of dirt. As the hole grew deeper, Dave’s heart raced with anticipation. Finally, his shovel struck something solid, worried he may have damaged the item and he gently unearthed a tarnished, copper Large Cent. Unable to view the details of the coin Dave put it away for a look later after he cleaned it up.

With trembling hands, Dave called me over to have a look. He was holding up the artifact, revealing a colonial-era coin. It looked as though there was a silhouette possibly of King George III, mating this a very old coin indeed. Thrilled by the find, Dave carefully placed the coin in a protective pouch, already envisioning the historical significance of his discovery.

As the day progressed, Dave and I continued our search, uncovering more colonial relics—a rusted musket ball, an ornate brass button, and fragments of silver pieces. Each find added another layer to the story of the early settlers who once called this land home.

Their excitement grew with each valuable discovery, but it wasn’t just the artifacts that made the day memorable. Dave and I reveled in the experience of unearthing history, imagining the lives of the people who had walked the very ground they stood on centuries ago.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow, Dave and I reminded each other how fortunate we were for the opportunity to explore his property and for the invaluable historical knowledge we had shared. We packed up our equipment, eager to research and preserve their discoveries for future generations.

Our metal detecting adventure, not only yielded a treasure trove of colonial relics but also deepened their appreciation for the rich history that lay beneath their feet. It was a day they would never forget—a day that brought them closer to the past and left them hungry for more adventures in the world of metal detecting.