By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Recently, I spoke with Dr. Hal Johnson, author of \u201cA Hotel to the Stars\u201d about his family home in Memphis, Tennessee and the treasurers he uncovered after his parents passed away.<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s father practiced medicine for more than 30 years and during that period he was the personal physician to the \u201cBrown Bomber\u201d Heavyweight Champ, Joe Louis.\u00a0 Also during that time it wasn\u2019t uncommon for him to treat celebrity patients who were traveling though Memphis on the historic \u201cchittlin circuit\u201d during the 40\u2019s, 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s. 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.<\/p>\n
Dr. Johnson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
These items are now part of the d\u00e9cor in the Johnson home as well as a traveling exhibit.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n