My dad gave my mom one of these as a wedding gift back in 1948. It was their only piece of furniture when they married. My daughter now has it. Mom would have been 100 years old this month.
I found this video fascinating and incredibly moving. It isn’t just a makeover with you, it’s so much more. You give us a piece of history, compassion, empathy a story. You make these pieces of furniture come alive like the people who owned them. Thank you and God bless xx
Oh Lyndsey, you nailed it. This one really got my heart felt tears streaming. I absolutely loved my grandma, she was almost 103 when she passed. I had wanted to have a few things of hers as she meant so much to me and my siblings and our kids. But she was my dad’s mom and he remarried a which of a woman who hated us kids and she made my dad contract with a company to sell her stuff. I had to stand in line to go in the house and was only able to get a wooden bean cutter my grandpa had made and an old enamel pan. I sure hope that her pictures and furniture when to some one who loved them and cared for them. So I will add my thank you and blessings too! ❤️ God bless this man’s beautiful heart and his wonderful talent!
@@hickorygolddoc I’m so sorry that you weren’t able to have your granny’s treasures. What a wicked thing to do, to rob you of those beloved pieces of memorabilia. Some people are ridiculously greedy and vindictive for no reason. Well, she can not steal everything. She can not delve into your mind and steal those treasured memories you have of your grand parents. Hold onto those and let the bitterness go, you will feel better for it. Memories will make you richer and better than any money she will have gained from those pieces. God bless ❤️
My thoughts exactly. I’m so moved I’m practically speechless. Thank you, Lyndsey, for eloquently speaking for hickorygold and me, and perhaps others, too.
My dad was a Vietnam vet. I was lucky enough to be able to restore a desk he had gotten from his grandpa. I finished it 2 days before he passed away this year and was able to show him. The desk is now in my office and will eventually be used to store his medals and flag when my mom passes. I love hearing the stories you add into your videos. Thank you for taking the time to bring these amazing pieces back to life.
As a Viet Nam era veteran myself and the daughter-in-law of a WWII & Korean Conflict veteran, I found this episode of your blog to be especially poignant. Thank you for taking the time to not only do a beautiful restoration of theses hope chests, but to honor those who put their personal lives on hold for their country. If only lives and hope were as easy to restore as these pieces of furniture. God bless, my friend.
This Project started as a simple one, but I quickly realized that many of these pieces had incredible stories behind them. I look forward to the memories you choose to share in the comments. Thank you for all your support. Barry
That cedar chest is exactly like the one I inherited from my mother, soon to be passed down to my daughter. It was always filled with our family's most precious keepsakes. I had chills up my spine when I saw the one in your video had been painted. Thank-you for bringing it back to its glory. Love your videos!
Oh Barry, thank you for teaching a new generation that antiques should be appreciated and valued for the memories they carry whether they are worth much on facebook marketplace or not. I thought I was the only one who got sentimental and teary eyed while restoring a piece reminiscing about the loving hands that so carefully polished it oh so many years ago. How many children were hoisted up to sit on that cedar chest to learn how to tie their shoes as I was taught. Thank you for such a beautiful and exceptionally produced video. Your restoration work, second to none. Your voice is so soothing, I could listen to you read from the phone book! ( That's a large book, delivered every year for free that had all the phone numbers of the residents in each town nearby. Haha)
Wow. Not gonna lie. You got me a little choked up with the purple heart. I love the way you did this video. My 94 year old grandmother passed a few years ago. My aunt said we could have whatever we wanted from the house. And all that really mattered to me was the photo graphs in her cedar chest..
Again, I cannot believe anyone would paint such a beautiful piece of furniture, such a chitty color! Even with the story the soldier who bought it for his betrothed, didn't come back, painting it auto primer brown was a disservice to the piece. Both of them look great now. Thanks for your efforts to preserve these items from the past, and all the memories too.
It's so amazing how you care so much about these people and their stories through the furniture you restore. Very moving. I too have many furniture pieces that I've never been able to part with, just because they belonged to a family member. I love old furniture, mostly from the turn of the century, and the style of furniture you restore is an era I lived through. Many of our family and friends had these pieces in their homes. My Mom and Grandma each had cedar chests. My sister has them both because she has a lot more storage room than I do. We plan to go through them together soon, but I can remember going through them often as a child. Lots of great memories and fun finds. I love that you care more about restoring the piece than the profit you make. So many young people lose the soul of a piece of furniture and only care about if it goes with their decor - my daughter included. Thank you for bringing back the heart and soul of the furniture you restore. The maker was the creative artist and builder of these beautiful pieces, and they live on with your restorations.
Oh wow...love the story that goes with this furniture. My grandmother had this particular piece, my sister inherited it. There was plenty of pieces to go around. So my sister died last year at a youngish age. Her son got the hope chest and I was able to share the story with him. On September 1st his wife will give birth to their first child, a little girl. I believe it's important to pass on these stories, which is why I love antiques. Thanks for caring about mental health. My sister that passed had some mental health issues and did not always seek the help she needed.
Love the restoration of the cedar chest. My Great Grandmas chest is in the basement at dad's house very much like this one. My Grandma's chest I have with me similar to that one as well. Usually, they were passed down from generation to generation but Grandpa decided since he was going to WWII he would get a new one, he was an airforce pilot. This chest holds my Grandma's wedding gown and lots of pictures for memories. As well as her photos of family passed both in and out of the war. Grandpa came back from the war and they created 2 beautiful children and 6 grandchildren of which I am one. Have a terrific day
It breaks my heart to see such beautiful wood grain covered in tacky paint. Much like the sad story of the soldier who never made it back. Barry, I love your passion for restoring these beautiful pieces. Thank you.
When I was 18 in 2006, I went with my mom and sister to my grandpa’s funeral. The day after the funeral I went down into the basement and spent all day treasures hunting. I found a hope chest and opened it up. I found pictures, one of my grandma and grandpa at a Valentine’s dance, a few of my grandpa in Korea, a few of a burlesque dancer (my grandma explained it as my grandpa was in a “photography club” 😂. Old report cards of my aunts and uncles, and so much more amazing things that only had relevance to my family. I had lost my dad the year before my grandpa and so this brush with history really meant something to me and still does. I was only allowed to take a few records and purses from the basement but I’ll cherish them forever. Thank you for this video, it made me tear up. It was beautiful.
You keep outdoing yourself. The process of transforming objects parallels the storytelling of the unsung people and families who owned them. While you work on the furniture, we get a sliver of a view into their lives , through photographs and objects. So moving. Bravo.
you have evolved from just a furniture restorer to a story teller. you have transcended the art of restoration to include the stories behind the pieces. it is very effective. well done
Your story brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. My Grandpa and Grandma were very special to me. They were my rocks considering the dysfunctionality of my home life. Esp when the grandpa tipped his glasses and gave that little grin. Beautiful moment captured and a beautiful waterfall hope chest saved.
Loved your restoration. I recently purchased the identical chest on Kijiji and am in the process of restoring it as a wedding present for a family member. During the pandemic I learned to quilt and will be placing a quilt I am making for them in the chest as a wedding present. You have reaffirmed my choice of gifts. Thank you for your poignant video.
I just happened onto your channel and, WOW, WHAT A WONDERFUL FIND! I have been binge watching various other furniture refinishing/rehabbing channels but find your is so much more. Thank you for not only the saving of the chests but the lovely commentary, information and sentiments. You are a treat!
Actually, I'm sure these pieces would be snapped up quickly if they are listed on a bridal website. Vintage pieces, that are lovingly restored, are truly appreciated and I'm sure you'll make a profit if you choose to go that route. Beautiful work and super chill atmosphere! 🥰
Barry… your work is so meticulous. Your love for the pieces you refinish always shines through. I am in total awe of this beautiful waterfall hope-chest. 💙💙💙. Great job as always. God Bless ✝️🙏🏻🇺🇸
I mentioned before that my family comes from the Altavista, VA area so this series means a lot to me. These chests were prominent in our homes and I myself have three from generations passed. Your quality of work is fantastic and what draws us in initially, but it is truly your care of each pieces history and owners story that truly touches the soul. You are bringing life to times gone by that need to shine again and remind us of the pride and integrity of those who came before us. Values were different and products were sound and built to last a lifetime. I long for those days again and I thank you for the journey. The story of the soldier never to return home was one too often lived and told in our family. Thank you for sharing and giving life to this treasure again!
When I was a teenager in the 70s I started collecting linens for, what we called, my glory box. I don’t know if that is just an Australian expression but it is what it has always been called. When I moved out of home, at the age of 20, I discovered I had collected nearly 50 tea towels, or dish towels as they are called in America. Thank you for the stories and history lesson, Barry. The waterfall chest looked lovely with the beautiful veneer. With best wishes from Down Under 🇦🇺🇦🇺.
I'm an old dolly that enjoys watching you from here in Southern Ontario Canada..I used to strip furniture in my youth and still enjoy watching the rebirth of pieces you bring back to their glory..I still have my Mother's cedar chest from the 40's..take care
What a beautiful video. So wonderful to connect these old pieces to the people who owned them and what they meant to them. It helps people understand why antiques should be respected and treasured, and wherever possible, restored. Thank you!
Oh my goodness, they are both so beautiful and you told the story of them with such respect and gave the items depth and beauty. I would love to own either of them and would feel honoured xxx
SUCH PRECIOUS STORIES OF THESE TWO MEN AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL LIVES!!! GOD BLESS THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND GIVING ALL!!! THESE CEDAR CHESTS THAT HOLD THEIR MEMORES ARE SO DEAR AND BEAUTIFUL!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
My mom died over 35 years ago. I received her cedar chest, like the waterfall one in your video, except it had a blonde finish. At the time I didn’t like the blonde look and had it refinished to the natural wood. It is absolutely beautiful. I also have her small “promise” cedar chest that still holds her hankies- many with crocheted edging. Thank you for highlighting both pieces.
Barry you did an amazing work on this cedar chest and the stories with the cedar hope chests were wonderful. Thank you for sharing some of the history behind the hope chests!
I really loved the story you included today, it made the video that more special to watch. I live in Ireland, unfortunately we had nothing special to be handed down through the families. Both sides of my family were fairly poor. Even their graves were only marked with an ordinary, simple stone. Years later we marked both sets of my great grandparents grave with a wooden cross, and a brass plate. I am very sentimental, so I've been putting away things for my nieces and nephews. I will try to include written notes with everything for them.
I can relate, both parents were from poor people. I have nothing but photos, never knew my grand parents as they all passed before I and my siblings and cousins were born. I have a few of my parents possessions but my nephews and one niece don’t want them as my parents died before they were born. I’m looking into digitally preserving their photos. It’s sad.
@@summersojourner I've been gathering all the photos so we can do that too. Each member of the family have taken smaller pieces from my late parents home. Non of us live in big homes, so it's not possible to keep most of the furniture. It's very sad to see it all go, we've donated most to charity shops or given things to friends. Hopefully it will help make a difference for others. I know that my parents, wouldn't want us to keep things when we don't have the space. We won't lose the memories because we don't have "things" 💕
Your storytelling is as amazing as your restorations. My mom passed December “22. She had a waterfall cedar chest much like the one in the video. My dad served in the Philippines during WWII. While he and mom weren’t a couple until after the war, these stories resonated with my soul. Thanks so much for sharing.
This one really resonated with me. The story reminded me so much of my grandpa, a WW2 vet who went on to live a fulsome life - almost 100 when he passed. The thought of those memories being buried, abandoned and neglected really hit me. Thanks for sharing Barry, I love your channel. Greetings from Canada.
You are a gem. I appreciate the care you take with each piece and love the history you shared in this video. I have learned so much and am inspired to continue practicing refinishing, keeping hidden treasures out of landfills.
I love to hear your stories that manage to create an emotional bond with each particular piece of furniture. You certainly brought this waterfall hope chest back to it's hay day glory.
This was so moving. I have my mothers from 1948. Looks just like the one you have. Moved to tears as my parents are long gone but remembered daily. A beautiful heirloom I cherish of their love and commitment. Thank you for the tribute. ❤
Barry, Thank you for showing those military men such respect. You always outdo yourself when working on a piece.. but I love the compassion & love you show for what you are working on. It is not hurry up and make a dollar. Thank you Barry for being caring.
I inherited my paternal grandmother's cedar chest back in the 1970's. It has moved many times since then and once even to Scotland and back. It keeps many memories among other things.
Much of today's generation have no regard or interest in the Greatest Generation, much less the furniture that represents so many hopes and dreams of those young people of the era. You have made me cry with your loving interest in not only the furniture, but the lives of those who once owned them. Does no one want those precious pictures, videos, military mementos? So very, very sad. Thank you for honoring them, and thank you for such beautiful work! I had a Lane chest, which I gave to my niece when she got married. Sadly, the marriage didn't last and the chest is long gone.
That’s probably a big part of why there is no respect for heirlooms among the young. They don’t expect to have many years of memories to collect with the same spouse. Very sad.
Beautiful work. I love hearing the thoughts of someone else who loves the history of old objects like I do. Thank you for putting their belongings back in the chests, too.
You're a gifted story teller, Barry. Have you ever thought of posting the sentimental items on Facebook to help find the relatives who may want the momentos back? I've seen several news stories on our local networks and it always makes my day.
Barry, that was a beautiful and sincere tribute to two men who fought the good fight; one surviving and thriving, the other who fell. Amazing how different these two mens’ epitaphs read. There, but for good fortune, go I! Very sensitive and well done. What a good human you are🦘❤️
Hi Barry, I am 76 year young woman. I graduated high school in 1964 and yes, I was given a mini hope chest by a local furniture store in High Point, NC. I still have that mini hope chest and it holds precious memories. I also have a Lane Cedar Chest that was given to me by a neighbor about 20 years ago. It had sat in a garage for many years and the outside was in pretty bad shape. It did have a thin layer of veneer that was all peeling off. I removed all the remaining veneer and sanded it down and refinished it in a natural. It turned out so pretty. The inside was amazingly in perfect condition and looked and smelled brand new. It is a treasured piece that will stay in my house until it is passed on to my granddaughter. Thank you for the love and care and the stories you share. You bring these lost and sad pieces of history back to life with love and patience. Take care, stay safe.
Thank you for sharing this memory. I hope you have the chance to tell her it will be hers one day, and how special it is to you. She will remember that
Beautiful video Barry. The story telling gives us an extra level of appreciation for an item. My grandmother would always bring up stories for every item she owned. Tales of how she acquired her beautiful waterfall dining table, chairs and buffet at an unclaimed freight auction, her waterfall bedroom set that had been repossessed back to the furniture store and resold to her at a huge discount. Auctions and estate sales furnished people's homes, and people were justifiably proud of their skills at finding a bargain, proud of their skills at creating comfortable homes for their families. I have never heard anyone talk proudly of their chipboard media stand bought from a big box store. They'll dump it on the curb in two years anyway. What is there to be sentimental about?
Barry.. I missed the premiere however I check out your video as soon as I got home. Reading the reviews I noticed most people see your kind heart and sensitive soul. As one of your earliest subscribers you put so much into your videos. Thanks so much for sharing👍❤
Amazing video. I enyojed watching so much! You've created a perfect combination of story telling and showing how you restaurated. This is what restaurating furniture and other objects is about to me; an appreciation of further generations and their memory that lives on thru an object that continues to live with us. When I purchase old furniture I always ask for its history :)
GGrandpa Earnest--army medic WWI, became a doctor in the Wyoming frontier; Grandpa Richard--tank commander on Omaha Beach, captured in Belgium, POW for 9 months, became an engineer; Dad Earl--army medic Korea, became a doctor and teacher; brother Gregory--peacetime Army Ranger. Thanks for the beautiful video and the reverence you have for these pieces that hold so much history.
This made me cry. I have a chest that was my grt, grt grandfathers. He died in the war and never got to meet my grt grandmother but his chest was sent home. I've inheritated it and I intend to pass it on to my daughter. We both feel it's important to remember and tell our kids about their sacrifice
I have two cedar chests. One my father in law made in the 30's, and one my mom received as a graduation present in 1952. It was her pride and joy. Now that both of them have gone to Heaven, their cedar chests and their contents are constant reminders of their time here on earth. I treasure them both. Thank you for giving these pieces of history, the respect they deserve.
I don’t know if the pictures and pieces of memorabilia were from the chest (I believe they were), but it breaks my heart to think that these precious items are separated from their family. I am a hopeless sentimentalist but, to me, these things are priceless. Thank you for treating them so respectfully and for restoring the chests to their original glory.
I have the little one and the big one! I graduated in 1992 and now I have keepsakes from my kids. I love your style of vlogging. I find things so sentimental ❤️
I just gave my great aunt's solid cedar hope chest from 1922 to my best friend to give to her granddaughter one day when she is old enough. It's been in our family for generations and I wanted it to go to the next one. It's beautiful, has the original solid cedar tray inside and two wonderful polished brass steamer trunk like bands with raised rivets. I received it when my great aunt passed away and have had it for almost 40 yrs.
@@tomwebber5094 Sorry, I didn’t mean to stir up bad feelings or offend you. Families can be complicated, I know. Hopefully, the ones you gave it to will treasure it more than your family would.
Wow, just amazing stories for these two chests. Thank you for restoring and respecting the story and life of this man. You did an excellent job on the piece, it looks like new
Again another beautiful restoration. I too have a Lane mini chest received at my high school graduation in 1965, class of fall 1964. Your a preserver of wonderful things that brings back loving memories. Thank you as always.
I have my mother's mini chest that was gifted to her and all of the young women at her high school graduation by the local furniture company in Anniston, AL in 1949. It sits on my desk today, a charming keepsake from another time. 😊
My Mom had one of these she passed 28 years ago and my dad can’t find the key but it’s in excellent condition … can’t wait to see how this one turns out !
The Lane company has replacement locks and keys. They are now “child safe” in that if a kid gets shut in it they can get out. They are easily installed and look original. (I bought a chest at an estate sale and m there was no key).
I love your videos. The story of each piece is the most important part. I cannot work on antiques without wondering where, with whom and how, they lived. I have not been lucky enough to find such treasures in mine, but i can dream while restoring them !!
What a beautiful transformation!! Thank you for sharing all of the items in the chest and the wonderful stories behind them. I started crying when you talked about the one man who lost his life in the war.
Hey Barry I have Wanted one of these wooden chests for a few years. I keep going to estate sales trying to find one to store my beautiful wool blankets.
Wow, you have given me “hope”! I have my mother’s “hope chest” in our garage and didn’t know what to do with it. Now I know! I want to refinish it just as you did and make it my “memory” chest. I am 71 now and my parents are both gone. Dad was in the Navy during WWII and I have a lot of memorabilia like his Navy Pea Coat and hat along with his Purple Heart, pictures and a large box of love letters to my Mom. I also have clothing of my Mom’s too and even one of my baby dresses, a lock of my baby hair, my first tooth for the tooth fairy and scads of pictures too. I was an only child, so this will be a great place to keep my memories of them together. ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you!🥰
Thank you for all the wonderful work I am enjoying watching. Being 70 years old myself, most of the furniture you work on is very familiar to me. I appreciate someone of your age finding such joy in restoring old things.....you are a rare breed, I can tell. Also, the stories and the humor you exhibit are refreshing and keep me from fast-forwarding when you're only scraping crevices..LOL. Keep up all you do, because you do it so well. This segment was amazing and touching at the same time.
No fair Barry….tears all around. My mom had a cedar chest that one of my sibs got. My dad, Harold R. Heath was a navy veteran from the Korean conflict. We weren’t a close family, but, as an adult, I’ve lived a wonderful life and have made peace with the ghosts of my past. Your magic always works wonders for bringing joy to the planet! Take care and your community loves and admires your humanity!
Love this video. I don’t know why cedar chest have lost their appeal. Such great storage for woolens or memories. I have a Roos waterfall similar to that one.
I literally have this EXACT same chest in my garage. A lawn customer gave it to me. It's been sitting in there for almost 2 years. It will be my FIRST flip 😂🙏🙏
Barry thank you. Your videos and restorations are not only beautiful your kind voice and stories you share are so heart warming. They bring back some wonderful memories of myself and my family. You are truly a vevy special person
This is very moving video for me. I love you tell the story behind. Especially about those soldiers.... I am from Pilsen, city in the Czech republic, Europe. On May 6, 1945, the 16th Armored Division and elements of the 97th and 2nd Infantry Divisions liberated my city. As there was a cold war afterwards and my country was under Russion influence till 1989, we were not allowed to remind publicly, who had liberated us. Now, after revolution, my city organises big Liberation festival since 1990 every year. And every year since then, US veterans arrive to Pilsen to remember their friends and the end of the WW2. Can you imagine that this year, 77 years after the war, 98-years-old veterans came? What a great honour for us. We do appreciate very much...
I loved this telling of the history and lives of the men who owned this furniture and the history and snapshot of them and their lives and times. God bless you!
Beautiful Restoration. 2 mens stories, 1 heartbreaking. As I watched you commentate their life stories, as you were restoring the chest, I found myself moved to tears. Knowing that such a chest, that was built and bought in a time of hope and promise, was then passed around and neglected. Much like the history and story of the man who never made it back home. So often, we forget the emotional meaning of the items in our lives. Whether its furniture, something a relative made (Ive lost all of my momentos) or something bought with the promise of greater things. It's a reminder to cherish not only the people in our lives, family, friends, loved ones, but the items that remind you that they were here. Thank you for this. You did an amazing job, and thank you for the heartfelt stories of these two men.
My mother had a Lane Cedar chest and after she passed last year it now lives in my home. It will stay like it was meant to be, not changed except to my daughter some day. My mom was 101. So nice that you returned this one to it's former life. Painting was a crime. But some people need to do something like that for their own tastes and that is ok. Thank you so much for your kind words and care.
Thank you so much for not only the restorations, but the wonderful and heartwarming stories. You are a joy to watch and so comforting to know that you are out there appreciating and loving the vintage as many of us do. They all have stories if only they could share with us.
I love your respect for veterans and the homage you pay to generations before us. Thank you for your videos. I find them soothing, educational and meaningful.
My mother had that same waterfall cedar chest. I believe it was a high school graduation present in 1945. She had it until her death in 2012, and after my father's death in 2018 it passed to my oldest sister. Mom kept lots of treasures in her chest, but toward the end of her life she began to give them to us children, especially the things that we had used as babies or toddlers. So wonderful to see another chest restored to its former glory. Keep up the good work.
How honorary this video is. My sister had one given to her by my parents and her and her husband worked for military all their lives and mostly in Europe abroad.
What a sweet tribute to the men and women for whom these hope chests were integral. I have 2 of the miniature chests, and they both have old photos. It's not an archival environment for photos, but it's somehow fitting. I also have 2 full-sized cedar cheats that my father made. The older one he made in 1930 in high school shop class for his mother. When she died, I lobbied hard for it and treasure it still. The other chest he made in the 1980s, and it sits next to the older one in my large guest room. Thank you for this lovely video, Barry. Your storytelling skills are as good as your woodworking ones!
Amazing Barry !!! Sometimes the value of something can't be measured in monetary terms, you are saving something very precious from ending up as landfill and that is priceless ❤
What a beautiful, moving, and emotional video. Made me think of my dad and mom. They were married in 1943 and he went off to war. He bought her an almost identical chest like you refinished. My oldest sister was born when he was away at sea. He came home. We were blessed. The chest came out beautifully. Thank you for sharing!
