City of Ottawa Museums: Memories and Emotions

I try not to keep too much clutter in the house.  It’s not easy for me, considering the fact that I have boxes of public school and high school material, pictures and assignments sitting in the basement.  However, I do understand that our space in this home isn’t infinite and that eventually I have to get rid of things.

I go through old clothing and toys often. I try to limit the amount of paper and books we have that aren’t of any use (I’m looking at your Psychology 101 from 1999) and just as importantly I don’t buy new things if we don’t need them.

I do, however, continue to hold a special place in my heart, and on my shelves, for items from the past that have special meaning.  Sometimes they are from grandparents, some items are from antique shops that caught my eye, but to me, when I look around and am surrounding by carefully selected pieces of the past, I am somehow comforted.

I’ve written about my tea cups and Downton Abbey-esque serving plate before.  I love them and try to use them often.

I think it’s one reason I enjoy museums so much, especially those that touch on local history.  You may have read my posts about the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum and Billings Estate National Historic Site before, but what I am unable to convey well in those posts is what I feel when I step into the buildings.  I looked up at tin ceilings in one of the houses in the Cumberland Museum and took in the beauty.  I noted the door knobs at the Billings Estate, stunning in their design, a piece of art on each door, completely different than our big box hardware store handles now.

On my book shelf sits this coffee pot.  There is little historic significance, although it looks worn, it’s hardly an antique, but it’s from the tea set that belonged to my grandparents.

This drink set with brass caddy was something I found at an antique store.  It drew me to it and I couldn’t help but buy it. From what I can research, it appears to be from around the mid-century.  Perhaps a Betty Draper type would have used them for after dinner drinks.

These items seem like they only serve to collect dust, but they evoke more than that. They stir up memories and feelings that present day items don’t share.  Each piece from our past somehow holds the ghost of our feelings.  I like that about history.

For more information about local history, check out the City of Ottawa Museums.

Do you have a particular item in your home from the past that you really connect with?

Disclosure: This post is part of my partnership with the City of Ottawa Museums. I am compensated for it, however, opinions are my own. I have actually  served after dinner drinks like Betty Draper in my antique cups.