Adventures in Privy Digging Episode 1: Meet Frank Harchak
You can find a lot of things at the bottom an old outhouse--including your local history. Watch in the PBS App: video.wpsu.org/video/adventur...
"Adventures in Privy Digging," a digital series from WPSU, takes a look at a unique kind of amateur-anthropology that involves digging up artifacts from the sites of former outhouses and privies.
In episode one, meet privy digger Frank Harchak of Houtzdale, PA, who says that his pastime is the last great treasure hunt in the United States.
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#privydigging
Пікірлер: 22
What a collection
I have an old beer bottle in a house that a customer was renovating. It was owned by a man who was high up in the church (LDS) so of course he was not supposed to drink so he dropped them in the toilet. This was a very old part of Salt Lake City.
They Dug the Old Privy at the Train Depot in Rawlins Wy, found Lots of Bottles and other Items. Check it out if you go Thru Rawlins. Cheers
very nice!
Really interesting.
I've been in it since I was 10. I'm 30 now and have a collection almost as good as yours! Any hints on locating other than a detector or rod?
@BlockchainToTheFace
4 ай бұрын
The Library is your best friend. Sanborn maps.
Arrowhead hunting too
My house was built in 1795. I have no idea where the old outhouses or privy would be. My lot doesn't give my untrained eye any hints. Man I know there's probably some good stuff to find....... ugh
@Sevenarrowsacademy
Жыл бұрын
Look in the library of Congress at old Sanborn Maps. These were fire insurance maps that were very detailed. Pretty much every town had them. Best of luck!! We found ours and have been having a wonderful time with our treasures!
Question for you...when you dig a privy on someone's property, do you sign a release waver or anything like that? Just wondering....thanks.
@wpsuvideo
2 жыл бұрын
That's a great question. Hopefully the community can give you more advice.
@elsiefrankharchak4735
2 жыл бұрын
No I never had to, everything was always verbal, but that may be a good idea
Frank, The Glass insulators in the video. Did you find them in the Privy?
Common to find firearms too lol
Another question.....how do you go about getting permission? Do you ask in person or send like a letter if they are not close to where you live? Just curious...and thanks!
@elsiefrankharchak4735
2 жыл бұрын
I usually knock on the door and speak to the owner and explain about privy digging . They usually let me and I always offer to share whatever I find with them . Sometimes, they want to get down in the hole and dig too.
Interesting. Wouldn't advise smoking that pipe.
Why not metal detect.
@elsiefrankharchak4735
2 жыл бұрын
We do metal detect too. Sometimes we use metal detectors on the dirt that we dig up, or sometimes we sift the dirt.
How do you find them?
@Sevenarrowsacademy
Жыл бұрын
Old Sanborn Maps from the library of Congress. Free