Copyright dailycaller
When Ohio’s Overfield Tavern Museum went up in flames in December 2024, it created a rare opportunity for archeologists to unearth rare artifacts from early America. What they found included relics from Native Americans, a rare fifty-cent coin from 1817, fish and pig fossils and an array of other household items from the days of old when Ohio was just an infant state, Popular Science reported Oct. 20. “Thousands of artifacts were recovered and are currently being washed, cataloged, and studied by the archaeologists in preparation for a report of investigations,” Executive Director M. Chris Manning told the outlet. Before it burned, the structure was Ohio’s oldest log cabin, according to WHIO-TV 7, a local affiliate based in Dayton. Spearheaded by six archeologists, the dig began earlier in October, WHIO reported. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Heritage Foundation Launches New Tool To Help Americans ‘Rediscover’ Nation’s History) “The 1817 50-cent piece was found under the floor inside the tavern and may have been used to purchase a beverage or meal at the tavern when it was in operation,” Manning speculated to Popular Science. As far as fossils, most of the remains were from pigs and fish. The original owners of the tavern owned 78 hogs back in 1810, according to museum officials. Additional discoveries include a smoking pipe with decorative elements adorning the paraphernalia, clay marbles, buttons made out of bone, a French gunflint and a couple of arrowheads and household ceramics. The tavern was built by Benjamin and Margaret Overfield in 1808 after they emigrated from Pennsylvania, Popular Science noted. (RELATED: The Oldest Human Activity In America May Have Just Been Discovered, And It’s Rewriting Our History) Back in its heyday, the log cabin structure served several purposes for locals. “The tavern was the first building in Troy and served as a tavern, inn, county courthouse for three years, and general gathering place for the community,” Manning said. It was Troy’s first ever courthouse. The tavern was open for business up until 1824. It was listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places back in 1974. It is expected to be fully restored and become a museum again by 2027, Manning said.
