Got Permission from a long-shot, denied for the sure thing...

[Mozhoven]

I'm a local art teacher and work at several schools located on or near the shoreline of Connecticut. It occurred to me one day that most of the places I teach have been there for a minimum of 120 years, and in some cases since the Revolutionary War.

For one school, I decided to ask permission first, even though I have been a student there for 4 years, and later a teacher there for another 6. At a guess, I would have assumed that no permission would be needed as I am a fixture at the school. Much to my surprise, I was in-fact denied permission. I half-way expected this on the main campus near the historical house (since the grounds are kept nice), but the school also owns two empty lots across the street with no development or landscaping whatsoever. I reiterated that I would prefer to hunt on the empty lots and that I would, in no way, damage the grounds proper. I was informed that construction was to begin soon on those lots and that was why I couldn't dig there. I tried once more stating, that since the bulldozers where coming anyway, wouldn't it be better for me to hunt now before potential artifacts are covered over forever? Apparently my argument fell on deaf ears and I received a final "no". I must say my feelings were hurt a bit as I have proven myself to be trustworthy over the past 11 years. I suspect that this might have been a case of "better to ask for forgiveness later, than permission first".

Anyway, I recently started teaching for the first time at another school which just happens to be located directly next door to the first school. This property has the distinction of being located on the site where the American Impressionist movement began in the 19th century. It has long history and should be full of historical artifacts. So, I bit the bullet and asked for permission from the school's director, my new boss. Much to my surprise, not-only was I granted permission, I was given so with enthusiasm! They were very interested in what I might find and asked that I show them what I turn up. Funny enough, they were a bit shocked that their neighbors were so stingy, especially with the weed covered empty lots.

Anyway, it all worked out I think. Now, I just need to find time to get over there. I did a cursory hunt between classes one day and turned up half a pair of 19th century eyeglass frames. Emboldened, I later did some research and turned up an old Beers map of the area from 1850 and saw there used to a be a house located the property on what is now an empty yard. I quickly scanned the area in question and was reward with hundreds of iron signals, mostly nails no-doubt. So, that's a good sign I think.

Anyway, I just thought I would convey this story so those who are, at-first denied, may yet persevere.

[CopperMike]

Its a shame about the 1st school (such a waist) Good luck at the other school, and keep us posted.

[Mozhoven]

Yeah, the 1st property had the distinction of supposedly being owned by a smuggler during the Revolutionary War. The tale was he had a tunnel dug from the cellar of the main house all the way the the river nearby (which fed into Long Island Sound). While he was under house arrest by the British soldiers, he would continue business as normal through this tunnel. To my knowledge, no one has ever located the original tunnel....or ever will now.

[NMsilver]

Can you go above the person you asked at the first school?
Maybe you'd find someone higher up and cool who would understand the potential to be found on those lots and let you do it.
You could stick your tongue out at the first person while you detect thier school (though that may not be good for your teaching career there)

[The Rebel]

2 words for the 1st property. Night Hunt!

[Mozhoven]

Originally Posted by NMsilver

Can you go above the person you asked at the first school?

Supposedly the person I talked to did consult the "higher ups". I seriously doubt it, but there's really nothing I can do. Perhaps in a few years, they regime will change (as it is prone to do), and I'll give it another go.

Originally Posted by The Rebel

2 words for the 1st property. Night Hunt!

3 words....On Premises Security

[demyansk1942]

If you have tenure you might be fine but with the layoff thing these days be careful, plus make sure art is mandated and that's one reason why ppl don't ask for permission, its too darn east to say no, get another detector and have the person go with you

[Mozhoven]

Yeah, in hindsight I should have just one out and hunted. I'm almost positive no one would have cared. Even as I was asking I knew it was a mistake.

I'm not a tenured teacher, but one day I may be. I can wait. At least I know that no one else is hunting there....(at least if they try to ask for permission!)

[ramer]

The person you asked for permission sounds pretty lame about the whole thing. Here you have an empty lot that is going to be bulldozed and he doesn't want you to disturb it? And he is called what....an educator??

[Mozhoven]

Actually, she is called the "Interim Dean".... IMO, the only worse than a real Dean. All the power and none of the experience.

I really tried to explain that the heavy equipment would do far worse to the land than I could, but she wouldn't hear it. Some people just love the word "no".

[The Rebel]

Originally Posted by Mozhoven

3 words....On Premises Security

Sheesh! Too bad, it sounded like a good place to hunt. Perhaps once they level off the dirt you could wander around looking for surface finds so it wouldn't be a total loss.

[Mozhoven]

You bet I'll be there if I can manage it. Perhaps I could show the admin what I'm finding next door on the competition's property...

[hawgdawg]

I think possibly when the dozers move in, it becomes a construction site, so control transfers to the contractor....you could try going to them and tell them you're a teacher at the school and what your interest are...in a way.. they're just like you, only they dig bigger holes with bigger shovels....being a contractor I know a little about it...the only problem I see is if the person you asked sees you and goes to the contractor asking him to make you quit......let us know how it works out...

[IMShooter]

The 2nd site sounds awesome!!
If you can't get to the first site when the construction crew is digging, you could ask the backhoe/dozer operator to set aside stuff he might find...especially bottles. Not sure about where you're at, but around here they're happy to set them aside for later pickup. Would be sweet to see some of the stuff they dig up (that doesn't end up broken).

[Dark Chameleon]

Originally Posted by hawgdawg

I think possibly when the dozers move in, it becomes a construction site, so control transfers to the contractor....you could try going to them and tell them you're a teacher at the school and what your interest are...in a way.. they're just like you, only they dig bigger holes with bigger shovels....being a contractor I know a little about it...the only problem I see is if the person you asked sees you and goes to the contractor asking him to make you quit......let us know how it works out...

Hopefully though the contractor insurance wouldnt be a problem, i know if you get injured on a worksite its not the owners responsibility unless the contractor doesnt have insurance, at least that way here in massachusetts.

Good idea to have the things youve found shown around but then watch out incase someone else gets permission.

I found sometimes you can appeal to the inherant greed, mentining a 50/50 split but then have to worry they are not so greedy they dont go and hire out a machine and do it themselves.

I get that feeling i might have inadvertantly done that to a local historical site having told the caretaker about things that can be found and then was asked "if you were going to hunt here where would you start?"

I think that should have been answered with "Study and then use my $5000 machine to find it where a cheap one would miss it!", that might have got a different response then....my AT Pro's cost had seriously grown that minute...lol

[Mozhoven]

Originally Posted by hawgdawg

I think possibly when the dozers move in, it becomes a construction site, so control transfers to the contractor....

Now this is interesting...I hadn't thought of that. See, this is why I like forums like this. Creative thinkers all...

[hawgdawg]

Originally Posted by Mozhoven

Now this is interesting...I hadn't thought of that. See, this is why I like forums like this. Creative thinkers all...

Hope it helps for you....once you talk to them at the site and tell them you're a teacher at the school, they might almost feel obligated to let you hunt....good luck....