DailyExpertNews is interested in documenting the stories of family heirlooms from all cultures and backgrounds in the United States. These heirlooms don’t have to be of extraordinary monetary value – in fact everyday objects with emotional resonance are of particular importance – but these objects and their stories should represent something special to you and your family.
For a recent project, we enlisted 10 photographers to tell the stories of their own family heirlooms for the Juneteenth commemoration, a day of celebration and remembrance. Many of the objects these photographers chose are not obvious candidates for being heirlooms: an old cookbook. A typewriter case. An unexcavated document. But together they tell how everyday objects, infused with powerful stories, can become the most cherished family memories of all.
So tell us: What is your family’s most cherished heirloom? Is it a personal item, such as an inherited dress or an ancestor’s frying pan? Or an item that recalls a legendary career, such as a firefighter’s helmet, a chef’s apron or a photo camera? Perhaps it is an important document, such as a will, passport or immigration form.
Then share it with us using the form below. We want to know everything about your heirloom, why it is valuable to you and your family and what story it tells about your family’s past and present.
Your entry may be selected for publication and a reporter may contact you for more information about your heirloom.