Storing Family Heirlooms

When you were a child, you may have had grandparents who lived nearby, and you would spend a good amount of time at their house. You may remember a piece of furniture that your grandfather had built, or a piece of jewelry that your grandmother always wore when she hosted family dinners. These heirlooms eventually found their way to your house, and now, as your parents are getting older, they will someday pass into your possession.

At EZ Storage® in Pittsburgh, we can help you find the right self-storage unit for your family heirlooms, where they will be protected for as long as you need. If you have things that you want to preserve for your children and grandchildren, then a storage space can be the best option!

Write Down the Details

When it comes to heirlooms, the stories behind them are almost always as precious as the items themselves. Your grandfather may have built something by hand, but unless you know the story of why he did it, or how he acquired the materials for it, then you may not cherish the item as much. The same is true for your children and grandchildren – they may not treasure the heirlooms unless they can hear or read the stories behind them.

Writing down the origins and the details about each piece will create something tangible that future generations can read and refer to when looking at the heirloom. Think about it – your descendants 50 to 100 years from now will be holding the item in their hands while reading your story about it!

The Right Archival Materials

Many heirlooms and memories come in the form of paper, especially old photographs. Keeping your old pictures and documents in a box may seem okay, but the truth is that they need to be archived in the proper manner. Acid-free file folders and envelopes are a must, and it’s always good to ensure that everything is stored flat and protected from dust. If you have an old book that your great-great-grandmother bought on her travels, then find an archival polyethylene bag and an acid-free box to put it in for long-term storage.

Storing Jewelry

If you’ve inherited your mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry, then you know how precious and important they are to your family. If you’re not sure what stones a piece of jewelry contains, then take it an experience jeweler who can identify the various parts, and who can properly clean the piece. Ask them about the best way to store jewelry, such as putting things in cloth bags, and learn what temperature is best for gold and silver.

Your heirlooms mean a lot to you, and if you want to preserve them for future generations, then come to EZ Storage® today. With our self-storage units in Pittsburgh, you can safeguard every piece of furniture, every photograph, and every ring and necklace that is important to you.

Visit one of our metro-area locations today to learn more. We look forward to meeting you!