The discovery of a buried treasure, which included valuable old coins and antiques, is the talk of downtown St. Albans, Vermont.

"I was just dumbfounded, really," said gardener Kelly Wakefield, who discovered the treasure while taking care of the plantings in Taylor Park in St. Albans.

Wakefield had been reading the book "Lady Liberty's Treasure Hunt," which makes learning about history fun. It provides clues about real treasure chests hidden throughout the Northeast. During her spring cleanup in the park, Wakefield found a rock with a skull and crossbones on it. The stone also had a code matching Wakefield's book at home, so she knew to dig.

Under a shrub, Wakefield found a stash of valuable silver and gold coins, as well as antiques and collectibles. The treasure included a Civil War-era bullet, referencing the infamous 1864 raid of St. Albans by Confederate soldiers who snuck in through Canada.

The author of "Lady Liberty's Treasure Hunt," Michael Cloherty O'Connell, said in an interview with NBC5 News that there are other treasure chests in New England still waiting to be discovered. Even if people fail in finding the valuables, it's the author's hope that families see that the true payoff is in taking road trips, rediscovering the outdoors and learning about America's past together.

"You'll see things you've never seen before," O'Connell said. "I've been getting all kinds of emails from people that haven't found treasure that they're so glad that I wrote the books. They've been by these places a million times and never stopped to look at them. Now, they're actually stopping to look."

The mayor of St. Albans, Tim Smith, said he appreciated the author including the city in his multistate treasure hunt. Smith said he hopes the added attention on the community and its downtown district will inspire families to visit this summer.

To read the complete article, see:
Just dumbfounded:' Gold and silver coins discovered buried in Vermont park(https://www.wcvb.com/article/buried-treasure-discovered-st-albans-gold-silver-coins/64870286)

"Lady Liberty's Treasure Hunt" by Michael Cloherty O'Connell is an adventurous memoir that combines heartfelt personal stories with an intricately crafted treasure hunt. Set against the backdrop of historical landmarks and the beauty of the Northeastern United States, O'Connell takes readers on a journey through his life, celebrating family, love, and a deep-seated passion for history. Inspired by his wife, Laurel-whom he lovingly refers to as "Lady Liberty"-the book traces his life's most meaningful moments, from his youth in Lexington to his career in public service, and his cherished connections with people and places that shaped him.

Interwoven with memories of family trips, friendships, and significant life events, O'Connell's narrative also invites readers to embark on a treasure hunt across the states of New England and the Northeast. The quest draws upon the author's love of history and landmarks, encouraging readers to explore these regions, learn about their historical significance, and find hidden treasures. Taking cues from treasure hunts like those in The Thrill of the Chase, O'Connell has created a treasure hunt filled with clues, challenges, and hidden rewards for those who share his adventurous spirit.

For more information, see:
https://www.ladylibertystreasurehunt.com/

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
FORREST FENN REPORTS TREASURE FOUND(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n24a37.html)
FORREST FENN FORTUNE FINDER FOUND(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n50a32.html)

... finding a buried treasure doesn't automatically make you wealthy. In a lot of cases, it can be a "finders keepers" situation, but the rules around who keeps a found treasure vary by state because there is no federal law that governs how it's handled. One thing the feds make sure of, though, is that if a "treasure trove" is found on federal land and is more than 100 years old, it's the property of the U.S. government. That distinction comes under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.

A "treasure trove" is typically defined as gold, silver, or cash that's discovered and has no discernible owner. The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) breaks down how things are viewed regarding found items, which are labeled as "mislaid, lost, abandoned, or 'treasure trove.'" Mislaid means someone dropped an item and didn't realize it, and lost refers to accidentally leaving something somewhere. In both of those cases, if no one goes back looking for the item, the item is considered abandoned. A treasure trove, though, refers to something of high value with an unknown original owner. Those distinctions shape whether or not a finder of an item gets to lay claim to it.

To read the complete article, see:
Can You Keep Buried Treasure If You Find It?(https://www.grunge.com/1857271/can-you-keep-buried-treasure-if-found/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
TREASURE LAW IN THE UNITED STATES(https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n49a24.html)