New Bedford Thrifter Finds 30-Year-Old Lost Pulitzer Memento

In journalism, there is no bigger award than the Pulitzer Prize.

Given out by Columbia University each year in fields of journalism, literature, music and other categories such as photography, cartoons and drama, the prize earns writers highly-regarded recognition for their work in a particular field.

Once you win one, even if you get a keepsake related to it and not the actual medal itself, you'd think you'd still hang onto that forever and pass it down to children or other family members. You would display it prominently on shelf space in your home.

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How Did a Pulitzer Prize Awarded to a Newspaper in Sacramento, California End Up in New Bedford?

Though the "how" remains to be seen, local historian and treasure hunter Eric Johnson did recently discover what he thought was a Pulitzer Prize from 1992 while browsing the warehouse of a New Bedford estate cleanout business.

As someone with a long history of finding lost items and diligently searching until he finds the rightful owner, Johnson knew he had to reunite this esteemed award with the newspaper that had won it.

"As soon as I picked it up and read it, I assumed the mission," he said.

His post about finding the Pulitzer Prize, in which he tagged the newspaper, wasn't even posted for an hour before someone connected with The Sacramento Bee reached out to Johnson and the Pulitzer will soon be back where it belongs.

However, There's a Twist to the Lost Prize

As it turns out, what Johnson found wasn't the actual Pulitzer Prize medal itself, but rather one of the commemorative keychains the employees of The Sacramento Bee received in honor of the paper receiving the prestigious award.

"I feel pretty dumb," Johnson joked. "But my heart was in the right place."

A Passion for Bringing Things Back to People

Johnson told us that he has actually reunited many items with original owners or their descendants over the years. From photo albums to old bibles to class rings, Johnson does his research and tracks down former owners as often as he can.

"The joy and humanity of it all as well as assuring these things tell the human story exceed any item I sells value," he said.

Johnson has items he has found on display in places like the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Museum of Glass at the James Arnold Mansion, the Fort Taber Military Museum, Pilgrim Hall and the New Bedford Free Public Library – and he doesn't take a dime for them.

"All gifted," he said.

Tracking down employees with The Sacramento Bee was the furthest away Johnson has ever reunited an item and owner. Though as he keeps searching for treasure on historic properties of the SouthCoast, who knows where it will lead him next?

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