Monday, July 25, 2011

A Look Into the Past

When I was home for a auction a few weeks ago, you may remember my car was loaded.
One thing I picked up was a pretty walnut shelf for $8. Where would I put it? and what would I put on it?

The scroll work on the ends reminds me of my parents end tables that I have at 1515

The end table

The shelf

Now what was I going to put on it?  My Dad's 1st cousin has been bringing box after box of family items to 1515. They are things that belong to my Great Grandparents and he thinks I should be the next care taker, and I feel honored.
There are pictures of my GGGrandparents I have never seen before. I just can't see leaving some of them in the boxes, not to be opened for another 30 years.

So the bottom shelf is dedicated to the women who came before me.
My Great Great Great Grandmother Hickman, Great Great Grandmother Wilson, Great Grandmother Galbreath and my Great Aunt Annie...of whom I am trying to keep the genealogy candle burning in the family.
They were such wonderful women, each with a story. My cousin was showing some of his cousins the pictures when we had the reunion and he teared up.....so I guess I did the right thing by getting these out to display.

The next pictures are of my Great Grandparents on their wedding date, him as a young man and the picture with him and his siblings. Can you see his sister that the transposed into the picture because she was deceased? And of course a pretty pink mustache cup.

The top shelf has a souvenir Charleston, IL mug. The pictures are of my Great Grandmother's family. The picture on the left are my Great Grandparents with her sister and brother in law at Niagara Falls in about 1914. The picture on the rt is my Great Grandmother with her father and siblings, I had never seen this picture before and love seeing what my Great Great Grandfather Wilson looked like.

This is a different kind of table top....one I can look at and feel the love of 1515 and know that someone is looking over the home we all love so much. My Great Grandparents even lived there themselves when the Depression started and my GGrandfather after his wife died.

I am so honored to be the keeper of these things and want to make sure they are there for everyone to see.


Have a Happy TTT!


13 comments:

ann said...

What a lovely way to display your heritage. Well worth the $8.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I love old photos. I think it's wonderful that you have them out to enjoy. Thank you so much for your kind words about my mom. I agree that a sudden death is just as hard as a long goodbye. From one Ann to another...

Richard Cottrell said...

Looks like a great choice. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Anonymous said...

I love this!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Martha said...

What a lovely shelf and you picked the perfect things to put on it!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi there! I like your shelf and how you displayed it. It looks wonderful and was a great find. I"m your newest follower too. Great blog and I love your photo in your header. Love the window with the flower box below it. Have a great week.
blessings,
Debbie

GardenOfDaisies said...

The pictures of your ancestors are wonderful! LOok how tiny their waists are!

Unknown said...

Ann that is a wonderful shelf! What a great find and your display is fantastic! Hugs Marilou

Rebecca said...

Ann, I just love how gracious a hostess and person you are. I wish I could be more like that. I am absolutely sick about this reunion. I can't sleep and wake up with headaches-all because I don't want anyone to come. I'm so glad you're that special person that everyone can feel good about gifting those treasures to and you are so open with your home.

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Love all the olden photos of your relatives, Ann. What a sweet little shelf to display them on.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love the shelf, so pretty and the cutout work is stunning. Such a fabulous display of old photos. Great vignette. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Babs said...

Ann, Love you little shelf. It's so pretty with the scroll work. It's the perfect place to display your family photos. Old photos are great, especially when you know who the people are, and can just imagine what their lives might have been like.
Very nice and I'll bet everyone loves looking at the photos and how you have them displayed.
Hugs,
Babs

Emreen said...

I love the shelf and love the way you have chosen old photos to be displayed .... Looks great... !!!