A couple undertaking extensive renovations on their Victorian-era property have made a remarkable series of discoveries, unearthing historical artefacts concealed within the home's interior walls for over a century. Amanda and Vinny, who are dedicated to restoring the residence to its original splendour, have been documenting their unexpected finds throughout the year-long project on social media platforms.
Historical Treasures Emerge During Restoration Work
In a detailed TikTok video chronicling their progress, the homeowners revealed that their initial discovery occurred approximately twelve months ago, yet they continue to encounter items dating back more than one hundred years. The footage captures Vinny examining timber joists in one room, where he first located a black and white photograph alongside a 1925 prescription intended for collection at a New Jersey chemist.
Diverse Collection of Century-Old Artefacts
The couple's discoveries represent a fascinating cross-section of early twentieth-century life. Among the most notable items was a page from a New York newspaper bearing the dramatic headline 'Bandits Killed' and dated 1931. Further exploration yielded additional artefacts including a grimy bottle of oil specifically designed for sewing machines and lawnmowers, a vintage toy soldier, and a personalised shoehorn inscribed with the name Daniel J. Ahearn.
Amanda expressed particular intrigue about the shoehorn discovery, remarking "A shoehorn in the wall, interesting" during their documentation. Subsequent finds included an orange thread reel likely used for sewing machines, a traditional wooden clothes peg, and a condolence card signed by Emma, Rick, Jenny and Ralph with the message "With deepest sympathy".
Additional Discoveries and Preservation Plans
The collection continued to grow with the unearthing of another toy figure, a substantial early light bulb, and a jar of talcum powder. In the video caption accompanying their discoveries, Amanda enthusiastically encouraged others considering similar projects, writing "If you have the opportunity to buy an older home, do it! You never know what you're going to find!"
When questioned by TikTok followers about their intentions for the artefacts, Amanda revealed their thoughtful preservation strategy. "We want to figure out a way to display them in the house like a little museum", she explained, adding "I was thinking of at least taking pictures of everything and putting them back in the walls along with our own things."
Social Media Response and Historical Appreciation
The couple's discoveries have generated considerable interest online, with numerous viewers offering suggestions for displaying the historical items. One commenter proposed "I would get a small curio cabinet and display all of these in the house somewhere. That would be so awesome to have little bits of history from my house as keepsakes", while another described the finds as "Absolute treasures! And imagine the old owners having no idea that all of these strangers 100 years later fascinated by this."
A particularly creative suggestion involved incorporating contemporary elements alongside the historical discoveries, with one user proposing "Adding back to some of this cool original stuff would be a great idea too, and maybe a letter about your finds. Maybe over time add some newspaper clippings from this day and age?" This approach would create a multi-layered historical record within the property itself.
The ongoing renovation project demonstrates how historical properties can serve as unexpected time capsules, preserving fragments of everyday life from previous generations. As Amanda and Vinny continue their restoration work, they remain alert to the possibility of further discoveries that might shed additional light on their home's rich history and the lives of its former occupants.
