Hobby Ideas

Most families have some precious items or mementos that have been passed down through the family for generations. In order to pass these items down to your family and grandchildren, here are a few tips on how to maintain and preserve those items so they can be appreciated for many generations to come.

• Identify and document each item - Write down everything you know about the item so its history can be preserved. List such things as who made the item or who purchased it, the date the item was made or purchased and where the item originated. If you have old photos, gently write in pencil who is in the photo and the date of the photo, if you know it. Photograph each heirloom and, if available, scan paper documents so that the photos and scans can be stored on a CD.
• Keep the items away from the sun - Sunlight can do a lot of damage if an item is exposed to it over a period of. Photographs and paper documents can fade as can textiles. If you have framed family photos or textiles, they can be reframed with UV-protective glass and acid-free mats which will help protect them from the sunlight.
• Store in the proper environment - Do not store your mementos or precious items in the attic or basement. The attic can be too hot and the basement too humid. Most items need to be stored in an environment which is approximately 68 degrees in temperature and 40 to 50 percent humidity. Store photographs in acid-free albums or layered with acid-free paper in an acid-free box. Books should not be crammed tightly together in book shelves and should be dusted regularly.
• Keep pests away from your heirlooms - Be sure and check your precious heirlooms on a regular basis to make sure that pests have not damaged them. If you do find damage from pests, be sure and get advice from a professional on how to restore and repair the damage.
• Handle heirlooms with care - Be sure you have clean hands, or better yet wear cotton gloves, before handling anything old. The acid and oils from your hands can do damage over time. Don’t use paper clips or pins in your precious valuables and don’t store them in plastic bags.

Just be taking these few simple steps, you can make sure that your precious family heirlooms will stay intact and can be passed down through the generations of your family.