A Legacy of Curiosities
Andrew Youssef, a sophomore and a passionate young collector, transformed the simple glass showcase outside the library into a treasure trove, each item brimming with stories waiting to be uncovered.
This display is just the tip of the iceberg— "about 10% of what his entire room held," said his mom Shana. "He was really happy when his brother went off to college last year and he was able to move into the bigger bedroom to display his collections."
The collections started in toddlerhood with sticks and rocks. When Andrew lived in Egypt he discovered he had a knack for finding things. "I found and collected amber, alabaster crystal, ancient stone tools, and shells from an ancient ocean," he said.
Now, his collection encompassed an impressive array of coins, WWII pocket watches, knives, and even sewing machines. His part time job funds his passion for the hunt, "While some people find this to be a waste of time and money, I find it incredibly interesting. It is one thing to learn about history in class and an entirely different thing to actually own a piece of history."
Andrew’s passion for antiques isn’t merely a hobby; it is a bridge connecting him to the past. He doesn’t just collect; he researches the history behind each item, choosing carefully and dedicating time to clean and restore them. "He now knows more than I do about most antiques and the history around them along with their value. Andrew sees both the historical value and potential monetary value in almost all his collections so his collections are not only vast, but potentially college money! I can't wait to see where he goes with the collections and the passion for history," said his very proud mom!
You can see part of Andrew's collection for yourself through October 18.
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