If you read the Alpena News on February 26, you saw the article Justin Hinkley wrote about the historical objects and papers at the Alpena News office that were passed on to him when Bill Speer retired. Being a self-proclaimed history buff, you could sense his enjoyment discovering all the “old stuff” he found in his office.

I get the same thrill when I volunteer at the Jesse Besser Museum. At one point we were placing old newspapers into storage. It was easy to get carried away with not only the headlines but the advertisements, prices in the ads, fashions of the day, and what businesses were in the area. Then there are all the “old” objects donated to the museum. How fun is it to see these artifacts and remember how they were once used? There are many impressive objects that the museum has acquired.

Some homes are filled with many historical items including old newspapers and magazines of nationally historic events or local events that were covered by the newspaper. Then there is antique furniture that has been in the family for several generations along with antique objects that have been passed down that have no use but they have been in the family and may have historical family significance. My father-in-law made a dresser soon after they were first married. It was meant to be functional, not a showpiece. In our early years of marriage we “inherited” it but just recently we decided we no longer had a use for it. Surprisingly, one of my husband’s brothers said he wanted it. I’m happy it will still be in the family.

That same feeling came to me frequently when we were cleaning out my parent’s home of over 50 years. There was so much beautiful old furniture but I didn’t want it in my house. Thankfully, I have six brothers and sisters who wanted most of it so it is still in the family and when I visit, I can see it.

What I think is important with any “old,” cherished items, whether they are in an office, museum, or home is that the story can be traced. What is the history of the item? Why was it saved? Is there a story that goes with it? If you have the story, others may treasure it as much as you do.

There’s an expression: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. How true! I have been going through some of the stuff my mother-in-law has collected. She decorates beautifully for each holiday and sometimes pulls out decorations that I’ve never seen. Many of these items are from the home she grew up in. When I know the history of them, they become more special to me.

Sometimes when families are going through stuff left behind, it depends on where they are in their lives. I was too young to want anything from my grandparent’s home. But my brother was buying a house and got the dining room table, a hutch, and many items from their house because he had a use for them. That can be a determining factor on what is kept in a family. Is there space to save them?

A big question is, what is historical, what is valuable to someone, and what is clutter? What is worthy of saving for the next generation? That can all be in the eyes of the beholder.If you read the Alpena News on February 26, you saw the article Justin Hinkley wrote about the historical objects and papers at the Alpena News office that were passed on to him when Bill Speer retired. Being a self-proclaimed history buff, you could sense his enjoyment discovering all the “old stuff” he found in his office.

I get the same thrill when I volunteer at the Jesse Besser Museum. At one point we were placing old newspapers into storage. It was easy to get carried away with not only the headlines but the advertisements, prices in the ads, fashions of the day, and what businesses were in the area. Then there are all the “old” objects donated to the museum. How fun is it to see these artifacts and remember how they were once used? There are many impressive objects that the museum has acquired.

Some homes are filled with many historical items including old newspapers and magazines of nationally historic events or local events that were covered by the newspaper. Then there is antique furniture that has been in the family for several generations along with antique objects that have been passed down that have no use but they have been in the family and may have historical family significance. My father-in-law made a dresser soon after they were first married. It was meant to be functional, not a showpiece. In our early years of marriage we “inherited” it but just recently we decided we no longer had a use for it. Surprisingly, one of my husband’s brothers said he wanted it. I’m happy it will still be in the family.

That same feeling came to me frequently when we were cleaning out my parent’s home of over 50 years. There was so much beautiful old furniture but I didn’t want it in my house. Thankfully, I have six brothers and sisters who wanted most of it so it is still in the family and when I visit, I can see it.

What I think is important with any “old,” cherished items, whether they are in an office, museum, or home is that the story can be traced. What is the history of the item? Why was it saved? Is there a story that goes with it? If you have the story, others may treasure it as much as you do.

There’s an expression: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. How true! I have been going through some of the stuff my mother-in-law has collected. She decorates beautifully for each holiday and sometimes pulls out decorations that I’ve never seen. Many of these items are from the home she grew up in. When I know the history of them, they become more special to me.

Sometimes when families are going through stuff left behind, it depends on where they are in their lives. I was too young to want anything from my grandparent’s home. But my brother was buying a house and got the dining room table, a hutch, and many items from their house because he had a use for them. That can be a determining factor on what is kept in a family. Is there space to save them?

A big question is, what is historical, what is valuable to someone, and what is clutter? What is worthy of saving for the next generation? That can all be in the eyes of the beholder.