Cedar Chest - giving it new life, wondering if im destroying some history.

by Gram
(Palm Springs, CA)

This chest was in a home that I purchased. Chest has seen better days, been through a fire and looks being dropped several times.

But when you open it, it looks like new and has that great smell. So I decided to start a restoration of it, we'll either use it for linens or I may make a cigar humidor out of it. =D

Chest is about 36' wide, 20 inch high, 24' deep. Has copper bands and tacks. Photo shows the legs removed, but there wasn't much left of them.

Branded on the inside lid is
Guaranteed
Tennesee JRC Aromatic
Red Cedar

Any input would be nice, just wondering if I should leave it alone for someone to give proper love too, or restore it myself for my own enjoyment.