Silas Burke House Renovation is Fruitful for Metal Detector Hobbyist

BURKE, Va. — Given that the historic Silas Burke House is more than 150 years old, and the grounds immediately surrounding it are being extensively dug up or re-landscaped, opportunity has knocked.

At least it has for Burke resident Brian Kabat and his metal detector, as he told the Burke Connection.

He sought and received permission several months ago from Sunrise Senior Living, which is constructing a facility to be anchored by the venerable house, to see what artifacts he might unearth.

Among his finds, as he told the Burke Connection, are artillery shells, jewelry, a decorated silver spoon and an iron ax head.

"It's been 150 years since anyone's touched this or pulled it out of the earth," Kabat told the Connection. "It tells you something about people who used to live there."

The house was built in 1824.

Read the entire story at Burke Connection.