Do you have an attic to clean out? A basement? Do you think all those papers, clothing and objects lying around are junk? Think again.

Archives and objects provide evidence of past events, help establish legal rights, and contribute to a better understanding of cultural history. Documents provide us with the evidence we need to prove where and when we were born, what property we own, and the permission we need to drive or vote or travel. They also document the history of our community. Objects illustrate trends, popular fashion, conflict, class and social distinctions and demonstrate how people interact with their environment.

Recently, during attempts to research various topics for exhibit and publication, Society staff located several collections that had been relegated to the trash heap. The owners had been unaware that the Society would be interested in their family materials. So before you clean out an attic or basement, here are a few easy questions to ask yourself:

- Is what I have unique? (For example, is it a copy of a published work, or is it a handwritten letter?)
- Does the item or collection document an historical moment, such as a war, an election, a change in landscape, or an event of some kind?
- Does it document an era, a business, or government activity?

Before you throw away that box of Grandma’s papers, or Great Aunt Mabel’s Girl Scout uniform, give us a quick phone call. Even if it doesn’t document Litchfield’s history, if it has historical significance the staff will be happy to help you find a home for it.

Contact: Julie Frey, Curator of Collections or Linda Hocking, Curator of Library & Archives at the Litchfield Historical Society (860) 567-4501

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