Keepsake Cherished Family Mementos from the Collection

Keepsake: [noun] a small item kept in memory of the person who gave it or originally owned it.  

Do you hold on to a special object with significant meaning? What does it signify to you and what story does it hold.

Keepsakes manifest in various forms, ranging from treasured heirlooms passed down through generations to everyday items imbued with sentimental value. They can be photographs capturing fleeting moments, letters from the frontlines of war, or simple trinkets evoking family memories.  At its core, a keepsake is more than just an object, it is a vessel that encapsulates memories, emotions, and personal narratives.

The State Library of Western Australia fulfills a vital role in ensuring that these invaluable keepsakes, and the stories that they hold, remain safe and accessible to future generations. The Keepsake exhibition examines why mementos and everyday objects often hold the key to family history and ultimately shape who and how we identify ourselves. 

The exhibition continues upstairs on the Mezzanine Level. 

An education trail for children will support this exhibition. Downloadable PDF version linked below.