There is an age-old notion that when things get old, they become obsolete. They become outdated, lose their value, and are eventually thrown away. These things are replaced with the shiny and new that are more exciting, trendy, and present.

On the other hand, however, they also say that the finer things in life become better with age. In my experience, I have found incredible value in things that someone else once considered obsolete. In fact, I seek out and prefer things—musical instruments in particular—with a little charm and history.

I happen to own not one, but six pianos. I also have three violins and an acoustic guitar. Oh, and don’t forget my nine-year-old’s recorder. Why the collection? I’m an award-winning pianist, violinist, composer, and recording artist who also happens to be an aficionado when it comes to old things.

Speaking of old things, I recently celebrated a milestone birthday—turning the big 4-0. For a minute, I felt like maybe I was becoming an old, obsolete object myself. But instead of wallowing at home, I whirled off to Paris with my husband to ring in my new decade.

I felt so alive and present as we explored historic sites, walked through thousand-year-old cathedrals, and stayed in châteaux with such extensive, rich histories that I could cry. At a château that used to house the family of Emperor Napoleon III, I found myself in the music room, admiring an antique piano. If walls could talk, I’m sure I would have heard much about the many great dignitaries and famous musicians of the 18th century who once played that very piano.

I was overjoyed when the family who owns the château gave me full use of the music room to practice in at my leisure during our stay. It was an absolute, rare honor to be granted use of such an antique, and I felt goosebumps as I played my compositions. I felt like the luckiest pianist in the world.

When I’m at home, I practice and compose music on is a relatively new Yamaha seven-foot grand piano. But the pianos that capture my heart are my antiques because I treasure their histories. I discovered my 1890 Vose and Sons upright grand piano at a garage sale, and it was love at first sight. All 88 keys played, and 87 of the 88 original ivory keys were still intact.

I loved polishing this old piano and cleaning out the cobwebs. While doing so, I found the business card of a piano tuner who had stapled his appointment time to the inside of the piano, dated September 1, 1922.

Another piano I love is my 1910 seven-foot grand piano by Behr Brothers. I spotted this instrument at a closing-out sale in a piano store. The old scrolls on the legs and the ornate design caught my eye immediately, and I knew this was no ordinary piano. When I opened the lid, I saw that someone had hand-painted intricate floral work on the harp casing. I used this piano for a music video that was filmed in a forest, and I can’t even begin to explain the magic I felt as I played that instrument among the giant trees.

The last of the acoustic pianos in our home is probably the most plain to look at, but it’s also the most special. It’s not a historic instrument with any awards or ornate scrollwork, but it’s the piano that my husband grew up practicing on.

When my husband’s parents were first married, his mom often found herself alone at home while her new husband fulfilled military duties. She came from a large family, and she found herself feeling lonely and having a hard time adjusting to this new lifestyle. For their very first Christmas together, my father-in-law bought a used player piano for $100 and gave it to her as a gift. She felt so excited and loved. This piano remained in her family for years, and all 10 of her children took piano lessons on it. When my husband eventually took a deeper interest in piano during his college years, his mom decided that her cherished piano would go to him when he got married and that one day he would restore it. Isn’t it funny how something like an old piano could do so much for a family?

Old things are not obsolete. They hold tremendous value, and the histories that come with them not only enrich their value but also teach us many great lessons. May we all take more time to discover the hidden gems within yesterday’s treasures.

Jennifer Thomas is an American pianist, violinist, composer, performing artist, and recording artist. After being classically trained at Brigham Young University–Idaho, Jennifer began composing in 2003. Her debut album was released in 2007, and she has since released three additional albums. Jennifer lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, their three sons, and her six pianos. Learn more about Jennifer’s music on her website, and visit her YouTube channel to watch her music videos and check out her vlog.