diff --git a/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/timeline/explorernodes/ExplorerUtils.java b/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/timeline/explorernodes/ExplorerUtils.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1245f2d642
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/timeline/explorernodes/ExplorerUtils.java
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/*
+ * To change this license header, choose License Headers in Project Properties.
+ * To change this template file, choose Tools | Templates
+ * and open the template in the editor.
+ */
+package org.sleuthkit.autopsy.timeline.explorernodes;
+
+import javafx.scene.Node;
+import javafx.scene.Parent;
+import org.openide.explorer.ExplorerManager;
+
+/**
+ *
+ */
+public class ExplorerUtils {
+
+    static public ExplorerManager find(Node node) {
+
+        if (node instanceof ExplorerManager.Provider) {
+            return ((ExplorerManager.Provider) node).getExplorerManager();
+        } else {
+            Parent parent = node.getParent();
+            if (parent == null) {
+                System.out.println(node.getScene().getWindow().getClass());
+                return null;
+            } else {
+                return find(parent);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}