Almost everyone owns some treasured piece of their family history whether it’s jewelry that belonged to your immigrant great-grandmother or the wood-stove that warmed the log cabin where your grandfather was born. These are important to your family story and your sense of history. Heirlooms come in all shapes and sizes and require care to retain their beauty and value for the next generation and those after. Here are some recommendations regarding the preservation of family heirlooms.

Furniture

You may have inherited a piece of genuine Federalist furniture that has been lovingly cared for through the generations, moving across country from New England to Iowa to California with your family. Furniture is a relatively hardy commodity that is not easily broken; however, it does require consistent care, including the use of safe and appropriate cleaning solutions. Darker wood should also be protected from direct sunlight. In case of damage, you should seek professional furniture restorers, not a do-it-yourself kit.

Family Bibles and Other Books

Books have two traditional enemies: fire and moisture. Both can ruin them completely. If placed in storage, consider using a climate-controlled environment, like those at The Storage Center, to protect your family books from the damp and frequent humidity changes. Additionally, storing an eighteenth century family Bible in a fireproof box is by no means overkill. It may be one of the wisest decisions you make in terms of protecting original family records. Digitization is another option for those who value the historical insight as much as the object itself.

Jewelry

Many women have received heirlooms in the form of broaches, rings, necklaces, and other jewelry, passed from mother to daughter or granddaughter through the centuries. Some of these pieces may have real monetary value; others may be made from cheaper stuff, but valued nonetheless because of its history. Their newest owners would be wise to have them appraised, if only for insurance purposes and natural curiosity. Deciding how to protect the item may be partially determined by its extrinsic value – whether you choose to keep it in a drawer or jewelry box or in a secure storage facility or home safe.

Art

Like furniture, art can be profoundly damaged by direct sunlight, and yet most people would not want to keep a painting their family saved from World War II era Europe hidden in a dark closet. The solution is to find a suitable hanging place for the artwork and then work to minimize the amount of light it receives, using window film, draperies, and other protective measures. Consults are available for those seeking to protect truly priceless family paintings. Restoration services are also widely available for those damaged by time or carelessness, although it is very important to choose a reputable restorer.

Military

Over the centuries, many men have returned from war with nothing to show for it, but wounds and bad memories; however, others have come back with weapons and armaments to hand down father to son through their line. These can range from knives or bayonets to service weapons to unexploded ordinance, just to name a few possibilities. Some of these can be dangerous to store in the home. Those such as hand grenades are unwise to store anywhere. It is recommended that guns be stored in gun safes or in storage centers that allow the storage of antique, that is, non-working, firearms.

Many other types of heirlooms exist, as unique as the family whose story they tell. For more specialized instructions, consider consulting the archival sciences department of a nearby college or university, or if possible, other family members who know more about the item in question. Family treasures are important for all those who will come after you and yearn to know more of their family’s history.