Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Family heirlooms are a treasure! Packed with memories and stories, a passed down family item is very special. For instance, I’m lucky enough to own the icebox that was in my father’s Somerville house where he grew up in the 20’s and 30’s. We know it was in the kitchen since at least 1920 when he was born. It’s still in my grandfather’s cellar but someday I’ll bring it to my house. It will fit right in with the metal squirrel nutcracker my parents got for a wedding gift in 1951, and the small end table that my dad made in woodworking class at the Western Junior High School in 1934.

A friend of mine, who still lives in her family’s home in Davis Square, refinished their old wooden icebox (see photo). It is now not only a historic family memento, but a beautiful piece of functional furniture. Very cool.

Having any passed down item at all is soothing for us. When we look at them we feel the presence of loved ones who once owned them and who we love and miss. We have stories that go along with the items that have been passed down from generation to generation. Our relics blend in with our decor and often an heirloom armoire or dining room set have many stories attached. My home still has many of my parent’s things. It’s all around me and I love it.

Other Somerville friends had their own stories to share with us shown below in quotes:

“We have a bunch of old tools that my grandfather used when he worked for the city of Somerville many years ago. We also still have the coal bin in the basement.”

Pertaining to the antique ice boxes:

“Sam Roberts was the Ice delivery man via horse and buggy. He later went on to work at HP Hood. His brother “mush” was a goalie in the NHL. Proud Somerville family.”

Asked if there were any family heirlooms in his house, my friends said, “Yes! My house, built in 1870s, has been in my family for over 100 years. Lots of family members have lived in this house!”

“We still have a bowl that was given to my mother from a 90-year-old woman as a shower present in 1947. The bowl was the elderly women’s present for her wedding. The glass bowl was made in a Somerville glass factory.”

“I have several bureau scarves that my grandmother made. She grew the cotton, weaved it into thread and then weaved or crocheted this thread into the finished product. This was all done prior to 1917. I also have a few items that were wedding presents to my parents. They married in 1947.”

“This bottle of Farr’s (made in Boston) potion for gray hair sat on my grandmother’s window sill in Somerville for as long as I can remember. Sits on my sill now, reminds me of my grandmother, Somerville and the fact that now I have (some) gray hair.”

“I have a clothes washing scrub board and a metal curling iron that you put in the fire.”

“I have the house my great-great grandfather bought in 1847 when he came from England. His son was Somerville City Clerk for quite a while in the late 1800s. (his portrait is in the City Clerk’s office). I have a lawn roller and (non-electric) iron, as well as tools, photos, and odds and ends from the 1800s. This was the newer of only 2 houses on the street when when he bought it. The first house is still here too.”

There are many families that are lucky enough to have handed down family things in their homes like old radios, bottles, sewing machines, clothing and furniture.

My son is using my parent’s jewelry box, which still contains many of their pins, rings, coins medals, doo dads, watches and jewelry, some that have been in there since at least 1951. He never met his grandparents but he is very connected emotionally through their treasured belongings and all the stories.

You can call these hand me down family artifacts conversation pieces, especially when the conversation is about our families and loved ones who once owned them.