A Restored Handmade Cradle from 1970

Today is something a little different for my Throwback Thursday post and includes a bit of family history. The throwback photos this time come with images taken in August 1970 and this morning, October 30th 2025, of the same item. A handmade cradle.

This cradle was handmade by my Great Grandad when my parents were expecting me and completed in August 1970. It had seen a lot of wear over the years so my dad had it restored by a local craftsman, Tommy Beard, at Auburn Furniture Repair in Auburn, Alabama. And he did an absolutely incredible job with this piece.

My Great Grandad (super old photo of My Great Grandad and Me) was a carpenter of sorts and made all kinds of things. Beautiful, practical, and useful items that you couldn't just go to the local "Walmart" and buy. The incredible part is how well the pieces he made 50-70 years ago still survive in 2025. We live in such a different time now where everything is made to be disposable, to last just long enough to allow the next one to be produced. Looking at something that was built to survive multiple generations is truly amazing.

My Dad wrote out a family history of the cradle for the next generation of family members to receive the cradle, and hopefully it will eventually be passed on down the line once again. As he stated, the cradle has traveled across our country from Alabama to California, to Virginia, back to Alabama, to New Jersey, to Florida, to Texas and now back to Alabama. What a history of travel for a relatively fragile item.

Original Photos

The last photo above was taken in Birmingham's Central Park, 15 years prior to the cradle. I can remember sitting on these benches growing up, but seeing the photo of when they were made brings back a lot of memories from a long time ago. In a disposable world I just love seeing something that was made to last a lifetime.

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