Hi again,! Today we thought'd we would share with you our favorite keys.
I've chosen a set of keys that aren't necessarily historical, but definitely sentimental. I was browsing the collection of keys and found these guys. In 1994, they were donated by Charles and Traci on their second wedding anniversary. They brought their son, Alexander, with them on their trip to the Baldpate and left his keys behind. The tag attached reads:
"These are the keys to:
1. 'quietness'
2. 'Parent's Tranquility'
3. 'Alex's Mouth' (have spent most of their time opening and closing this little yapper)
We'll send you on a hunt to find these on your 21st birthday. A message to our little boy all grown u: We'll always love you!"
By my calculations, Alex is now 26. I don't know him or his life, but hope one day he finds his way back to the Baldpate.
My favorite key, that I've seen so far, is a small metal key to a 1994 Hyundai. The inscription in our records says "Key to my little red mobile". So I'm picturing a hot little sports car with a new coat of shiny red paint glistening in the sun, and this, too me, is a great memory.
I choose this car key as my favorite key because it reminded me of a car key that I use to have. When I went to study abroad in New Zealand my friend Sam and I pooled some cash together to buy a 1991 Subaru Legacy. Luckily for us, New Zealand doesn't use salt on their roads, so cars last much longer there.
This station wagon took us everywhere. From little adventures and trips to the grocery store, to an entire loop of the country, this dependable little beast holds some of my finest memories from my semester abroad.
That's why a car key jumped out at me. They hold so much power in such a small shape. The freedom to travel the roads hearkens back to a 16-year-olds first trips away from their parents. Or a cross country road trip that creates memories for a life time. Our car are often our second homes, and they are nothing without their keys.
That's why it saddens me today to see the new technology of the key-less starter taking off in modern cars. No longer will we turn the magic stick of carved metal and feel the power of unlimited transportation at our finger tips. No longer will our "little red mobiles" be so grounded to the flick of the wrist.
With that said, my favorite key is not one that is unique to our collection. Just a glance around and you will find other car keys, other keys from 1994, or maybe even keys from other Hyundai's (although, I'm not as sure about that last one). This key sparked powerful and joyous memory for me, and I think that's all finding your favorite key is all about.
-Adam
written by: Maddie Anderson and Adam Dohn, Keyroom Curators
