A local history professional is celebrating this holiday season as she has discovered a very valuable connection to one of the artifacts in her care.

Joey Long is the Director of the DeWitt County Museum and CH Moore Homestead and recently discovered thanks to a book given to her by a local resident and says the book highlighted a Civil War relick she thought was in the museum.

According to Long, she found an expert that could help her identify if the relick was authentic. She sent them the requested things they wanted and after a while, she had not heard from them but just this week she heard back and had it confirmed it was authentic.

Long explains Edward Woodward collected things to make these relicks and gifted them to Civil War Veterans. He was a gunsmith from England and worked during the Civil War but did not want to continue.

The relicks have unique shapes that are all about the same as the shape of an eagle. Long indicates Woodward moved to Gettysburg with his wife who became a nurse.

Long feels more of a sentimental value to these relicks but she did come to learn they are worth several thousands of dollars. The end of the year is winding down for the Museum so time to check these relicks out is running short. 

The Museum's regular hours are 10 am - 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1 pm - 5 pm Sundays. Candlelight Tours still run through Dec. 23 are 5 pm - 8 pm. Get more information about the Museum by finding them on Facebook or visiting chmoorehomestead.org.