Here at Heirloomed, we are deep believers in keeping meaningful items around for another generation to enjoy. I am sharing my expertise on the family heirloom and how to identify, preserve, and cherish your family relics for generations to come.
Family Heirlooms
The most cherished and beloved things one can own cannot be purchased. They must first be used and loved and enjoyed. Memories must be created, laughter had and good times spent. And only then, these things become treasures, passed down for generations to come. The next generation will appreciate this “thing” even more than you do.
What is a Family Heirloom?
The definition of a family heirloom is properly defined as a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations. It can range from estate jewelry to furniture to a recipe to a vacation home, but despite how beautiful the item may be, it’s the memories behind the piece that truly make an heirloom something worth keeping around.
Common Family Heirlooms
Heirlooms can look different for every family. Some families may keep hundreds of items from their parents and grandparents while others may keep one or two to pass down. Here is a breakdown of some of the most common family heirlooms — maybe you will read this and realize you have more keepsakes in your family than you thought you had. I would love to hear if you have any heirlooms in your family that I am missing from these categories as well.
Textiles:
- quilts
- table linens
- aprons
- baby blankets
- baby clothes
- baptism gowns
Tabletop:
- China + dinnerware
- glass + barware
- silver
- silverware
- vases
- candlesticks
- serving pieces
Memorabilia:
- letters + postcards
- certificates (birth, marriage, death, etc.)
- family photos + albums
- recipes and cookbooks
- baby book
- stories
- family tree
- family bible
Kitchenware:
- cast iron
- baking pans + tins
- rolling pins
- kitchen tools
- mixing bowls
- cookware
- canning jars
- wooden spoons
Household items:
- furniture (bed frames, chairs, dressers, hope chest + trunks)
- art + frames
- clocks
- hardcover books
- instruments
- tools
Military:
- metals
- dog tags
- flags
- weapons + knives
- trunks
- photos
- uniform items
Style:
- jewelry
- watches
- furs
- purses
- hats
- cufflinks
- brooches
- letterman jackets
Wedding:
- photo album
- engagement + wedding rings
- bouquet or pressed flowers
- vows, bible
- handkerchief
- wedding dress
- jewelry
- veil
- invitations
Travel:
- luggage + trunks
- maps
- scrapbooks + photos
- family vacation home
- mementos + collectibles
Baby and child:
- lock of hair
- ultrasound photos
- baby book
- firsts (words + foods)
- newborn photos
- coming home clothes
- bronze shoes
- favorite toys
- baby blanket
- baptism gown
- silver spoon or rattle
- class photos
- school work
Collectibles:
- spoons
- stamps
- coins
- thimbles
- sports memorabilia – autographs, trading cards
- classic cars + automobiles
Other:
- Land
- family business
- home
- stories + folklore
Family heirlooms are cherished artifacts passed down through generations, each carrying its own unique story and sentimental value. These treasured items not only serve as tangible connections to our ancestors but also embody the traditions and memories that define our familial heritage.
Common Types of Family Heirlooms:
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Jewelry and Timepieces: Items such as engagement rings, necklaces, watches, and cufflinks are often passed down, symbolizing love and continuity within the family.
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Furniture: Pieces like antique dining tables, chairs, and cabinets can hold historical significance and are often central to family gatherings.
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Textiles: Handcrafted quilts, embroidered table linens, aprons, and baby blankets are imbued with personal stories and craftsmanship.
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Photographs and Documents: Family photos, letters, diaries, and official records serve as historical archives, preserving moments and personal narratives.
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Books and Bibles: Special editions or family Bibles often contain handwritten notes, chronicling significant events and reflections.
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Kitchenware: Items like vintage cookware, recipe boxes, and cherished cookbooks carry the flavors and aromas of family traditions.
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Military Memorabilia: Uniforms, medals, and other artifacts honor the service and sacrifices of family members.
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Musical Instruments: Pianos, violins, or guitars that have been in the family for years often come with stories of musical heritage.
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Clothing and Accessories: Wedding dresses, christening gowns, and other significant garments encapsulate pivotal family moments.
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Fine Art and Decorative Items: Paintings, sculptures, and decorative pieces reflect the aesthetic tastes and cultural influences of past generations.
Preserving these family heirloom items requires thoughtful care. It’s essential to document their histories, maintain their condition, and share their stories with younger family members to keep the legacy alive. By doing so, we ensure that these treasures continue to connect us to our roots and enrich our family’s narrative for years to come.
Expert Tips for Preserving Family Heirlooms
Things of the past were just created with a different merit than they are today. While they may show hints of tarnish and rust, these items have lasted through time with the high quality craftsmanship they were created with. To preserve these heirlooms even longer, it is important to maintain both their physical integrity and their “story.”
On a larger scope, preserve family heirlooms through maintaining the items’ original state and through the documentation of their origin and meaning. For items such as clocks, watches, and jewelry, repair with the proper craftsmanship of the original pieces. It is important for vintage linens to research the proper spot treatment, laundering, and mending for the pieces you hold onto. Store documents in archival quality papers and ensure they are kept in a dry, climate-controlled space to avoid discoloration and deterioration. For photos, label any known dates, locations, people, and context on a corresponding notecard to get the memories in writing.
Creating Family Heirlooms
There is a misconception that heirlooms come only from the generations before us. However, we forget there are so many generations to come after us too. I strive to keep the heirlooms of my grandparents alive for my kids through maintaining their quality and passing down their stories and meaning. At the same time, I recognize the importance of buying items of high-quality for my home and family and thoughtfully document the meaningful memories of these items. I have done this through personalizing items with a monogram or engraving, journaling and noting important moments to keep with items, and photographing the special moments we spend together in our home.
Share your Family Heirloom
My passion is to share these family heirlooms and their meaning for another generation to enjoy. I love connecting with people through conversations of their own family heirlooms and the meaning they still hold on the current generation and hope to continue sharing these heirlooms and the stories behind them.
If you have a special family heirloom you would like to share with us for a chance to be featured on the blog, reach out to us at info@heirloomedcollection.com. #Heirloomed
heirloomed is a lifestyle brand with a mission of “keeping heirlooms around for another generation.” Our blog features stories about family recipes, creating traditions with your family, interior design and entertaining by mixing new and vintage pieces, classic style, and small town + historic travel. Our shop features a collection of “goods inspired by the past, for generations to enjoy” with an array of products and meaningful gifts including linen aprons, tabletop linens, art, ceramics and beyond. Learn more at www.heirloomedcollection.com.
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