Archaeological Excavation at Ohio Tavern Yields Surprising Discoveries
An archaeological dig at a 19th-century tavern in Ohio has revealed significant historical findings that could have easily been lost in a fire, but instead have enhanced the museum’s collection.
This excavation is part of a project to restore the Overfield Tavern, the oldest building in Troy, situated roughly 20 miles north of Dayton.
An accidental fire on December 7, 2024, severely damaged the interior of the tavern, which has been repurposed as a history museum. Fortunately, the log walls, dating back to 1808, largely survived the blaze.
This year, museum officials enlisted Ohio Valley Archeology to explore the site before extensive restoration work gets underway.
As a result of the excavation, archaeologists uncovered items that people might lose or discard in their everyday lives, but which provide fascinating insights into the past. The findings included ancient buttons and shards of pottery, shedding light on the kinds of food that were prepared in the tavern.
Additionally, a number of coins were found, including an 1817 nickel discovered beneath the charred floorboards, presumably used to pay for drinks—or perhaps dropped by a slightly tipsy patron.
Constructed by early settlers in 1808, the building initially served as a courthouse until 1811, when it was transformed into a tavern, eventually evolving into a local history museum.
During the United States Bicentennial, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Museum director Chris Manning reported that over 4,000 artifacts have been recovered, with most dating from the early 19th century to the late 20th century.
“We’ve found several prehistoric items that are clearly much older,” Manning noted, referring to some flint arrowheads displayed in a video. “Current laboratory analysis will provide more insights,” he added.
The tavern is slated for full restoration by 2027. At that time, it will reopen to the public, and some of the artifacts discovered during the dig will be exhibited.
