Finding Relics

09-17-2025

Every generation leaves behind relics.

A relic is something left from the past, with the word itself coming from the Latin reliquiae, meaning “remains.” Honestly, I think this means different things to different people. It all depends on how old you are! Perhaps you recall speaking with the switchboard operator and asking them to connect you with a number, or maybe you dialed the phone number on a rotary telephone. Do you remember watching reel-to-reel movies or popping in an eight-track tape? Finding relics can be as simple as walking into an antique shop, browsing eBay, or peeking inside a farmhouse barn. Sometimes, you may even discover treasures hiding in your closet. Each relic tells a story and sparks nostalgia, reminding us of simpler times.

Family heirlooms carry special meaning.

My father-in-law inherited many items from his family, including farming tools and household equipment. I’ve seen butter churns, flour chests, wooden yokes, and ice tongs. Some relics are practical, others mysterious, but all carry the weight of history. These items represent lives built on hard work.

The general store was once central.

Before supermarkets like Walmart, the general store served as a community hub. In the 1800s, it offered food, dry goods, medicine, and even mail pickup before Rural Free Delivery began in 1896. My father-in-law’s grandfather owned and operated the Davis Brothers Store, located in East Bend, North Carolina. The store was built in 1913 as a two-story brick commercial building. The front facade features intact storefronts and entrances, and a one-story, shed-roofed canopy-like porch. The original store also has a hidden trapdoor that goes underneath the store, where chickens were kept for barter.

Communities connected through relics.

The general store was more than commerce; it was where neighbors met, shared news, and built trust. Today, with 24-hour news channels and the internet, we risk losing those meaningful connections. Relics remind us of those bonds and their importance.

Modern stores keep history alive.

To experience that feeling again, visit Cracker Barrel, which operates over 657 locations across 43 states and territories. Relics decorate their walls, offering both a meal and memories. Another favorite is the Vermont Country Store, founded in 1945, where shoppers still enjoy nostalgic products.

Relics link the past and the present.

Although the world moves quickly, relics slow us down and connect us with history. From butter molds to eight-tracks, they reveal the roots of modern life. Finding relics offers not just discovery but perspective. In every way, the act of finding relics preserves both memory and meaning.

To learn more, visit the blog life, reflection, and faith.