In a bustling airport, where travelers are constantly in motion, a piece of history found its way into the hands of a bookstore owner. Alex John, who runs the renowned Renaissance Books at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, stumbled upon a leather-bound photo album that seemed to hold more than just pictures—it was a family’s legacy.
Renaissance Books, known for its eclectic collection, has been a staple for travelers seeking literary treasures for years. Yet, when this particular album appeared, John immediately recognized it as more than just another book. “My instinct right away was like, hey, this clearly belongs to someone,” he expressed.
The album, with its intricate designs reminiscent of an ancient spell book, is believed to be over a century old. It contains tintype portraits, a photographic process popular in the 19th century, featuring stern-faced infants and formally dressed adults. Despite its fragile state, the album offers a glimpse into a bygone era.
Initially overlooked in the airport’s lost and found, the album was eventually entrusted to John’s care. According to a spokesperson, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport’s lost and found typically sees around 170 items monthly, mostly small personal effects. However, this was no ordinary item.
“They brought over the book, and basically explained that, ‘We don’t want to dump this to Goodwill after it goes unclaimed, so we’re gonna give it to you guys,’” John recalled. The staff at Renaissance Books, particularly Morgan Taylor, took to social media to search for the album’s rightful owner.
“We need to reunite this book with his rightful owners,” she said in the video. “We would love to get this back to the family it belongs to. I’m sure you are missing this. In the meantime, it’s in safe hands here at Renaissance Books.”
The effort gained traction, even catching the attention of local Milwaukee media outlets, such as CBS 58. A genealogist offered a potential lead, but the album remains unclaimed.
In the meantime, John and his team are delicately researching the names inscribed in the album, hoping to trace them back to a living relative. “I kind of hold my breath when I go to turn the page,” John admitted. “The first page is crackling and falling apart.”
Among the album’s images are works by J.S. Medlar, one of Illinois’ pioneering photographers, who passed away in 1898. Known for capturing portraits of notable figures in northern Illinois, Medlar’s work adds historical significance to the album.
As the search continues, John remains hopeful. “It’s cool to be part of the story of the thing, right? It’s kind of like a privilege to be part of the story,” he shared. “You never know when something interesting is gonna kind of happen. Yeah, I’ve been lucky to have that experience.”
