Archaeologists in Ohio are uncovering hidden pieces of early American history beneath the charred floorboards of a historic tavern.

The excavation is part of recovery efforts at the Overfield Tavern in Troy, about 20 miles north of Dayton.

In recent weeks, excavators from Ohio Valley Archaeology Inc. have been digging beneath the museum, which is the oldest building in the city. 

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The structure was built in 1808 and served as a courthouse until 1811, when it was converted to a tavern. It’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.

A devastating fire in the early hours of Dec. 7, 2024, gutted the interior of the museum, though the original 1808 log walls remained mostly intact, according to the museum’s website.

The fire was later ruled accidental by state fire marshal officials.

As an unexpected silver lining, thousands of historic artifacts have been found in recent months, with the help of both excavators and volunteers.

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Pictures from the site show volunteers sifting through dirt and rocks to recover the artifacts.

Chris Manning, executive director of the Overfield Tavern Museum, told Fox News Digital most of the recovered artifacts date from the early 19th century to the late 20th century.

“We did find several prehistoric artifacts that are obviously much older,” said Manning. 

“Laboratory analysis currently being conducted will provide more information.”

Manning added, “I would estimate that the number of artifacts recovered is around 4,500, but again, we won’t know until the archaeologists complete their lab analysis.”

Artifacts included an 1817 coin found under the tavern’s floorboards, along with an 1846 coin.

Manning said excavators found evidence that the small log building attached to the rear of the tavern was constructed later than previously believed.

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“It may have been constructed a few years after the tavern, [and] we previously thought the small log building in the rear was about five years older,” Manning added.

“We also uncovered a substantial limestone foundation in the backyard that extends almost six feet underground. [It] was paved on the bottom with a layer of brick flooring.”

She added, “Analysis is still underway, but it may represent an ice house or root cellar that was constructed in the first half of the 19th century.”

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Manning said she plans for the tavern to be fully restored by 2027, when the museum will reopen to the public.

“Select artifacts will be put on display eventually, once the museum is restored,” she said. 

The dig took place during the same autumn months as a similar excavation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Archaeologists and students from Millersville University recently unearthed the likely remains of the county’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1725.

DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Detroit Historical Museum is hosting a new exhibition in honor of the Detroit Red Wings’ centennial season.

It’s called “Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming Hockeytown” and will be in three galleries at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Inside the City of Champions Gallery, the new Motor City Showcase and the Detroit Artists Showcase, fans will find rare artifacts from the Historical Society, the team’s archives and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Some of the artifacts include:

• Uniforms from Detroit Red Wings greats, including the Grind Line and Russian Five
• Rarely-seen artifacts on loan from the Hockey Hall of Fame and Windsor Community Museum
• Vintage audio and video clips of some of the greatest Red Wings moments in history
• A spotlight on the players who have had their numbers retired

There are also lockers like the ones in Olympia Stadium, a chance to flash the original goal lights from Joe Louis Arena and hear the organ from Olympia.

“It’s an honor to see a century of Red Wings history brought to life at the Detroit Historical Museum,” Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing Asia Gholston said in a statement “Every decade has its own defining moments, and this exhibit gives our fans a special opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and legacy that have defined 100 years of Red Wings hockey.”

 The exhibition will be on display all season long, and fans can also shop vintage Red Wings merchandise at the museum store.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Travelers at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport are facing significant disruptions to their holiday plans as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues to impact flight operations nationwide.

Nijeale Wilson experienced firsthand the ripple effects of FAA flight reductions when her flight to Pennsylvania to visit her son was canceled. The airline rebooked her on another flight, but it landed much farther from her intended destination.

“I had to rebook, so because of that I had to drive an hour and a half to get to my destination,” Wilson said. “It was frustrating at first, but of course, I roll with the punches.”

The disruptions extend far beyond individual inconveniences, according to travel industry professionals who are seeing widespread effects on their clients’ plans.

“When a plane doesn’t get from point A to point B, or a crew doesn’t get from point A to point B, it causes a ripple effect that can affect many flights down the line for days or weeks,” said Abby Rosenau, a vacation travel advisor with Fox World Travel.

Rosenau has watched her clients grapple with delays and cancellations as uncertainty continues.

“There is a lot of fear and a lot of uncertainty right now because we really don’t know. And even if this all ends — you know, the government shutdown ends — we don’t know how long it will take to ramp back up to, quote-unquote, normal operations,” Rosenau said.

A funding bill that would end the government shutdown is heading to the House for a final vote. However, even if the shutdown ends soon, there will be lasting effects on travel operations.

For travelers with upcoming holiday plans, Rosenau recommends several precautionary steps:

• Know your rights as a traveler by reading the fine print of your ticket.
• Call the airline ahead of your flight.
• Turn notifications on for flight updates.
• Come up with a plan B in case of delays or cancellations.

Wilson, who has now decided to stay home for the holidays, advises fellow travelers to exercise extra patience during this challenging time.

“Try to plan ahead — well ahead, more than usual. Try to get to the airport early. Keep checking your flights for those ones that might be changed at the last minute or canceled,” Wilson said.

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