As I continue sorting through more than 80 years of memories collected inside our family home, I keep discovering treasures that tell not only my family’s story, but the story of our community as well. One of those treasures is a large 1963 class photograph from W.F. Branch High School, the historic Black school that served students in our hometown during segregation. The photograph measures 18×26 inches and, after decades of being stored away, the edges have become worn and fragile. It was never framed, and I realized that if I wanted to help preserve this important piece of history, I needed to take action now.
I recently decided to have the photograph professionally framed to protect it from further damage. While it is too large to display in my home, I believe items like this deserve to be seen, appreciated, and preserved within the community they represent. I can already picture this photograph hanging on the wall of a library or historical society in my hometown, with visitors stopping to recognize familiar faces, point out relatives, and share memories of their school days and community connections.
As a family historian, I’m learning that preservation is not always about keeping everything for ourselves. Sometimes it means becoming a temporary caretaker until these treasures can find a permanent home where the entire community can benefit from them.
Click HERE to read Part 1
Journey Through the Generations 