By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

When was the last time you cleaned out your attic or storage area? You might be pleasantly surprised to find treasures that might be hidden in plain sight or buried beneath junk.

Recently, I spoke with Dr. Hal Johnson, author of “A Hotel to the Stars” about his family home in Memphis, Tennessee and the treasurers he uncovered after his parents passed away.

Johnson’s father practiced medicine for more than 30 years and during that period he was the personal physician to the “Brown Bomber” Heavyweight Champ, Joe Louis.  Also during that time it wasn’t uncommon for him to treat celebrity patients who were traveling though Memphis on the historic “chittlin circuit” during the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Many of these entertainers, athletes and musicians stayed at the Johnson home while performing at clubs in Memphis, quite frankly because there were not many hotels that would allow them to board over night.

Dr. Johnson’s hobby was taking photographs and he took pictures of many of his friends over the years which resulted in a huge collection of photographs with stars such as Cab Calloway, Louie Armstrong, Langston Hughes, Same Cooke, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and many others.

These items are now part of the décor in the Johnson home as well as a traveling exhibit.  Some of the items left at the home include a pair of autographed boxing gloves from Joe Louis, a large collection of African carvings, a typewriter used by Langston Hughes and a large number of black and white photographs. All of these items are a wonderful topic of conversation and add interest to this historical residence.

So my point is, go clean out that attic you might be pleasantly surprised what treasures your relatives have left behind. And before you throw anything away, have it checked out by a local antique dealer or historian.

For more information on Dr. Johnson’s home visit www.ahoteltothestars.com to listen to my full interview click on radio shows.

What’s in your attic that the world needs to see?