Family heirloom show-and-tell sparks interest, conversations

Barbara Hale, right, tells Extension Service agent Kathy Goul about an heirloom jewelry box shaped like a stovepipe hat. Goul hosted an hour of sharing personal stories about heirlooms at the La Cygne Library on Feb. 19. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

In an earlier version of this story, Arlene McClanahan was not identified correctly.

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

A family history show-and-tell sponsored by Kathy Goul of the Marais des Cygnes Extension Service sparked interest and conversation among the two dozen people who attended a program at the La Cygne Library on Thursday, Feb. 19.

The premise was simple enough. Before the program, Goul sent out word to have people bring in a family heirloom and be prepared to talk about it, including how they came to possess it and how it impacted their families.

And people responded to that, bringing in such everyday items such as a celery keeper (a vase-like glass that forebearers had brought during their journey across the Atlantic) to a stove-pipe hat (think Abe Lincoln) shaped jewel box, to a quilt made in honor of America’s Bicentennial in 1976.

Each story brought questions, comments, and even more importantly appreciation for the heirloom.

Joyce Stone displays a quilt her mother made to commemorate the United States' bicentennial in 1976.

It was exactly as Goul predicted in a prologue to the sharing activity.

The purpose of family storytelling is that it encourages a human connection and empowers voices and traditions.

Family storytelling captures emotions emotions and experiences that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replicate, Goul told the group in her presentation. Storytelling empowers all family members to share memories and keeps traditions alive across generations.

Leroy and Kim Kimminau show a photo of the High Steppers dance group comprised of her relatives.

Whether the show-and-tell is attended by friends or as a time of family sharing, it fosters meaningful conversation among friends and family members of all ages. It works best if participants select sentimental or simple items and tell their stories in two- to three-minute presentations.

For more information of heirloom show-and-tell, follow this link to her recent column in the Journal. https://www.linncountyjournal.com/post/family-show-and-tell-brings-history-to-life

Arlene McCanahan shows an old portrait of family members.

Pat Stanley tells about a dish her children called the "chicken bowl" even though the animals on the side were ducks. Stanley always made stuffed peppers for her family in the dish.

Gayleen Shelton prepares to show her "celery keeper," a vase-like narrow glass container that was used by her family to keep celery fresh. Her ancestors brought it across the Atlantic when they immigrated.

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Judy Patterson holds up a photo from her family's collection.