Decorating with Family History Memorabilia

I'm always looking for fresh ways to display my family history photos, letters and other memorabilia. I've got most of the originals stored properly for preservation, but I also want to have reminders of these personal momentos out where I can enjoy them.

Luckily there are some very creative folks out there who have wonderful ideas for displaying personal and family histories in our homes. Here are a few inspiring ideas:

Kerry over at Clue Wagon suggests framing vintage maps and postcards of your hometown. This would work to illustrate the "home country" of ancestors who immigrated as well. I framed a county map from the 1930s showing the local roads in the area where my dad grew up—it's a nice reminder of his childhood, hanging in a spot near my desk where I can see it often.

I simply love this idea of an envelope, handwritten by the owner's grandmother, that was scanned, then enlarged and printed by a local printer.

Image via October 2009 Country Living

Many of us have a cache of handwritten recipes cards handed down from our mothers and grandmothers. Show them off by framing them nicely and displaying them in your kitchen. It's a great topic of conversation and could spark some amazing family stories.

Here's another recipe idea: turn old recipes into tea towels. Emma Jeffery, a guest blogger at Spoonflower, shows how it's done.

Doilies aren't much in fashion these days, but I have a stack that belonged to my grandmother that I just can't bear to get rid of. This idea from Apartment Therapy, shows that when pulled together in a shadow box collection, they could make a great art piece!

top photo credit: Arlette via photopin cc