Not only is your home your castle, it is also your own personal museum of family treasures. Books, paintings, watercolours, china, crystal, christening gowns, wedding dresses, statues and sculptures, musical instruments, old tools and utensils, toys, baseball and hockey cards, family documents and photographs, records, tapes, cassettes, furniture, rugs, tapestries and embroidery. The list is nearly endless and so are the things we collect for personal interest or for family historical reasons.

Our "How To Care For" section is intended to help you preserve your personal collections. It contains practical information for steps you can take at home. When it comes to technical and complex treatment, we recommend you consult a professional conservator for advice on the best possible treatment.

You need to be a little philosophical about your heirlooms. Generally, the objects you have at home are used, not stored away in display cases. While you can determine, to a degree, how family members treat your treasures, it is inevitable that, over time, some wear and tear will occur. In many instances, this is perfectly acceptable and is an important part of the item's history and character. As temporary custodians, the goal is to extend the life of your collection so that future generations can enjoy it just as much as you — and past generations — have.