Sharing knowledge is one of the main parts of the Northern Indiana Research and Recovery Society, whether it be over an 1842 D Quarter Eagle coin that can be worth up to $9,000 or good hunting sites. Pictured, from left, are Pam Laker, Ed Gaerte, Terry Green and Mike Beaver. (Photo by Elisa Walker)

WARSAW — Through summer and winter, they’re patiently scanning in search for lost parts of history. The Northern Indiana Research and Recovery Society is Kosciusko County’s resident metal detectorists and history buffs. Celebrating their 20th year, the society has over 40 members who often team up with each other one nice, or not so nice, days to hunt for treasure. Even if it mostly comes up bottle caps.

The society has members all across the county and within a 25-mile radius, but everyone has found that one thing that’s truly fantastic. Members have been called upon by the community to help find a lost ring, watch or property stake. Having discovered many rings, a big part of the organization is trying to return the items.

“I see the hobby as a ministry,” shared Mike Beaver, an original founder. “I’ve been able to help so many people in many different ways. If it was just finding stuff all the time, that’d be okay. But to actually help people with it? That’s big. The list goes on and on of things we’ve returned. I once returned a 1927 class ring to a lady who had lost it the week she got it. Her family scraped by to buy it for her. She said that to get it back meant the world to her.”

The flush of relief on people’s faces is rewarding to see, especially for returned wedding rings. They help any organization or person that needs their assistance. Another aspect of the organization is the research that goes into the objects found.

“There’s a history behind most pieces we find,” explained Terry Green. “It lets us share the story behind it with others. If we don’t find some things, it can be lost to time and deterioration. Then the history’s gone forever.”

Members have donated many of their findings, such as Civil War era coins, buttons and bullets, to museums, which can expand on local history and be truly appreciated by other local historians. Items like a 2,000-year-old arrowhead could spark the desire to treasure hunt in any child or adult. The thought of possibly uncovering something so old and preserved is thrilling.

Terry Green detecting in the local area. (Photo by Elisa Walker)

“You get that little rush when the metal detector tells you that there’s something there,” commented Pam Laker. “You wonder what it is and dig it up. It could be something valuable or just rusty nails. You never know. You have that curiosity.”

With metal detecting comes a lot of restrictions and laws, even sometimes screaming residents despite following the rules. Many lake sides are residentially owned, which means that they’re not allowed to detect on land, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t water hunt. When it comes to water hunting some people will go in shoulder high in order to check the area. Hunting isn’t just looking for treasure, it’s for keeping the community safe from fish hooks, open knives and razor blades that are just left in the water. Even if the metal detected is trash, they pick it up, which not only helps them in hunting further but helps the environment as well.

Some people attend monthly meetings to gather information or advice, while others just enjoy the company of the laid back group that they have built a sense of camaraderie with. The society meets at 2 p.m. every second Sunday, at the Warsaw City Hall in the council chamber room.