The annual meeting of the Goodhue Area Historical Society planned for March 16th was postponed to March 23rd due to snow. President Dave Betcher called the meeting to order at 7 PM at St. Luke’s Church. Attendees received handouts of the 2025 meeting minutes, society happenings and financial situation. General business was conducted with a unanimous ballot cast for returning board members, Don Gadient and Barry Holst, and for Dale Dicke to replace retiring member, Rocky Rambolt.
Betcher reported that things have been moved around in the museum creating a whole new look and making the space wheelchair accessible. The museum opens for the season on June 4th. An open house is planned for July 19th, earlier than most years due to the Wheat Trail Festival being held the following week. From an Agricultural history standpoint, it is interesting to note that in 1873 Red Wing was the number one wheat market in the world with a million bushels moving along Bellecreek’s Wheat Trail.
Following the business portion of the gathering, Pastor Randall Kuznicki spoke on museum history and metal detector treasure hunting. He lived in Goodhue for 32 years while serving St. Peter’s congregation and although he no longer lives or serves in Goodhue, he continues to serve St. John’s Minneola as he has since 1984.
Kuznicki recalled initiating the idea of an Agriculture museum after visiting others while on vacation. He approached Alvin Dicke and Len Lodermeier for general and financial support and the three men worked to make the society and museum a reality. The building opened in 1998 and a dedication was held on June 9, 2005. As the last surviving member of the founders, Kuznicki is impressed with what he describes as the museum’s “remarkable strides the last few years”.
Kuznicki’s interest in history is not limited to the local museum. He also finds a connection to history as a metal detector hobbyist, or enthusiast—terms he prefers over treasure hunter. There are claims that two-thirds of the world’s wealth is lost or hidden and there are many people who attempt to find a piece of that wealth. Kuznicki’s interest is not about the monetary value, rarely selling what he finds, but about fresh air, exercise, and the story behind the treasures he finds. “Some of it is junk, some of it is not, but they’re all pieces of history.”
Kuznicki started metal detecting at age 14 but says, “Things like high school and girls got in the way”, and it was several years later when he resumed the hobby. He started out with a basic metal detector, moving up to more sophisticated models. He describes today’s detectors as mini-computers able to find certain metals and even identify an object still underground. Kuznicki currently owns about 10 different models, bringing four to the meeting.
Places where people congregate make good search areas. During his years in Goodhue, Kuznicki covered many people’s yards, the park, and the ballfield. Holding up a tiny sterling belt buckle engraved with the initials, G.C.D., he shared the story of finding it 8 inches down in the backyard of former Goodhue merchant, George Carl Diercks. Another favorite Goodhue find is a new-looking 1912 Barber dime found outside St. Peter’s church in the area a tent had been used during the 1912 church dedication celebration, leading him to believe it may have been dropped there that day.
Among the many coins in Kuznicki’s collection are two Franklin Half Dollars. These coins are 90% silver and he says, “That’s the only two I’ve ever found In 50 years of metal detecting and I found them both in Goodhue”. He also found an 1890 dime four feet down when the streets were under construction in town.
With a keen interest in Civil War history and reenactment, Kuznicki counts a Civil War military breast plate among his most treasured finds. He came upon the artifact while searching Howard Albers’ farm near Zumbrota. Researching the name engraved on the plate, he discovered the owner, Nelson Holton, enlisted in Wisconsin before moving to the Zumbrota township farm. Kuznicki’s reenactment involvement brought him to the same Wisconsin base and led him to write an article for the treasure hunting magazine, American Digger.
Like other enthusiasts, Kuznicki has been asked to help search for lost items such as wedding rings and items dropped while doing field work. They are often asked to locate property line markers and even assist law enforcement. One thing he doesn’t feel treasure hunters get enough credit for is cleaning up, “We recycle a lot of trash”.
Attendees were invited to take a closer look at Kuznicki’s items on display and ask questions. He encouraged everyone to take an interest and uncover some history. “Do some digging, you never know what you’re going to find.”
The museum is open Thursdays and Sundays June thru September 1st 1-4 PM or by appointment. President Dave Betcher, 651-380-5123. Website, www.Goodhueareahistory.org on Facebook, Goodhue Area History Museum.
Zumbro Valley Treasure Hunters metal detecting club meets at Ascension Lutheran Church in Rochester the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Randall Kuznicki 651-380-1542.
