This topic will address the importance of understanding and maintaining our local and regional knowledge in the face of increasing homogenization and globalization. This session may be of particular interest to regional historians, archivists, anthropologists (folk ways), record keepers, collectors, and linguists. Participants can look into the history of the preservation and collection of artifacts and examine the motives behind such projects (such as “local color” literature). Some questions to consider: Why do we have this desire to maintain heritages? When is it better for certain artifacts to go (Confederate monuments, for example)? How do we determine what is worth keeping in a world of clutter, mass culture, and overflow of information. What stories do we want to tell the future? Participants would be encouraged to use this session to help them create panels/presentations for the next CCHA conference.