The Right Stuff

Back when I had the web pages, I had this idea for a page I wanted to call "The Old Trunk in the Attic".  I never fully developed that idea, apparently because it was ahead of its time.  This is my "Old Trunk in the Attic" web page.

I love STUFF.  STUFF that reminds me of people.  STUFF that someone I know used to have.  3 dimensional STUFF.  My house is full of it.  I can't get rid of the things my Grandpa's made, both of them were pretty good carpenters.  I have a bookcase, unique shelves, toy boxes from Grandpa Bell.  A doll crib, doll swing, doll high chair, rocking horse baby's coat rack and a quilt rack from the Grandpa Menke.  These are the things that "decorate" my 3 bedroom home.  These things I keep OUT of the attic.

I don't believe my house is worthy of an episode of Hoarders.  There is a place for everything and everything is in its place.  It just wouldn't make the cover of Martha Stewart Living.  That's just fine.  I live in a material world, I am a material girl.  Not diamonds or fine art, but STUFF that I consider priceless.  Like Ma Joad, it would bother me to leave anything behind if I had to move.

When my Grandma Bell showed me the marriage certificate of her parents, Art McGrath & Sadie Negley, I was in awe.  It's a beautiful 16 x 20 framed piece of art.  When she said I could have it "if I wanted it", duh, ya, I took it!  My first heirloom from "the old trunk in the attic".

This STUFF and a lot more give a 3 dimensional life to my family history research.  They make it more than just names and dates on a chart.  Even more than the photos of the people, this STUFF gives me an insight into the talents and interests of my family.
 
Just about anything can be a family heirloom, but keeping your grandmother's dishrag might be taking it a bit too far.  I think what I have is the RIGHT STUFF. 

How do you display what you found in "the old trunk in the attic"?