The History Beneath Our Feet at the Lincoln Heritage Museum
Metal Detectorist and YouTube Personality to Provide Interactive Presentation

 

[July 11, 2024] 

What do Abraham Lincoln and metal detecting have in common? Be at the Lincoln Heritage Museum on July 13 at 1 PM to find out.

Historian and storyteller Rob Rizzo will be present to share tales of his global metal detecting adventures and finds including Lincoln related stories and memorabilia in this informative and enlightening program, entitled, “The History Beneath Our Feet.”

Rizzo will discuss the enthusiasm for the hobby of metal detecting, the interesting connection between Abraham Lincoln and metal detecting, the ethics and equipment of the exercise, commonly asked questions of detectorists, some stories of his experiences, and an interactive exercise.

The Wisconsin based Rizzo has his own YouTube channel, where he has for years entertained and educated viewers on the practice of metal detecting. His dedication to uncovering “rusty treasures” has made him a compelling figure in the circles of historical exploration and metal detecting. Rizzo’s adventures and discoveries have been featured in numerous podcasts, social media livestreams, print media and on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Morning Show.

Rizzo fashions himself as a passionate historian, metal detectorist and storyteller. While he has 30 plus years of experience helping Fortune 50 companies leverage future technologies, Rizzo now spends his time searching for yesterday’s lost artifacts and the stories they reveal about our collective past.

“Recovering old items and preserving their stories for others to enjoy is what makes metal detecting so special,” says Rizzo. “It connects the past with the present and helps preserve historical artifacts and their associated stories for future generations to come. Metal detecting is the closest thing to time travel that one can experience.”

Lincoln Heritage Museum director Ron Keller is excited about the upcoming program. “Our museum is a cultural and historical leader in our community. We are pleased to bring Rob Rizzo and ‘The History Beneath Our Feet’ to our town and I hope the public can join us to learn about this fascinating subject.”

Admission to the Lincoln Heritage Museum is free during the event, but donations are welcome.

The mission of the Lincoln Heritage Museum is to interpret for the public the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the world in which he lived—particularly as it pertained to Illinois—and to be an academic resource for students from elementary school through adulthood. The Lincoln Heritage Museum is a part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. For more information, visit museum.lincolncollege.edu.

[Lincoln Heritage Museum]