(Jackson, Mn.)– A program this (Tues.) evening in Jackson will unearth some Minnesota history…literally. Minnesota History Teller Doug Ohman will talk about uncovering and saving history at 6:30 pm at Smokin’ Java in Jackson…
“I’m a metal detectorist. I go out all over the state, all over the Midwest, looking for history that has been lost, in some cases, thousands of years.”
Ohman says those attending this (Tues.) evening’s program will be able to see some of the things he’s uncovered…
“I’ll have many of the relics I’ll bring with me. I’ll have them out on a table. People can physically put them in their hands and realize this is historic. I think the important thing is is this history would be lost if I didn’t find it, and if the history has been in the ground for let’s say a couple of hundred years, and all of a sudden I find it, I imagine that if I wasn’t out there in this yard or this field or wherever I find it, that it may be lost forever because there’s not a lot of people that do what I do.”
Ohman says one of the keys to his hobby is public trust and always getting permission before going onto somebody’s property…
“A lot of my leads are referrals after getting a permission that might have occurred by me just walking up and knocking on their door. Literally. And asking if I can do that in their yard or on their land. And then once they realize that why I do it and it’s for a good cause to save history and to help local museums, all of a sudden they go you know, you did great at my place but you got to get over to my neighbor’s. They have an old house or an old farm that would be excellent. So I get a lot of referrals that way.”
Ohman adds that he is NOT a collector…
“I first and foremost offer everything and anything I find to them first. It’s their land to begin with, they should have a right to have it if they want it. If they don’t want it and it’s historic enough, I will donate it to a museum locally. But a lot of times the homeowners love it because it connects them and their family in their story to this piece that I found.”
Ohman’s program is open to the public free of charge. Doors will open at 6:00 pm with the program itself at 6:30 at Smokin’ Java in Jackson. The program is being put on by the Jackson County Library System and Prairielands.
