Have an heirloom or old photo? UP campaign invites public to share family history

‘UP Heritage Through My Lens’

In the first campaign, participants can capture lesser-known or overlooked heritage sites through photographs and short videos, officials said.

These could range from local temples and stepwells to traditional markets, streets, shrines or structures that hold cultural value within communities but remain largely undocumented. Officials said the emphasis is not just on architecture but also on the everyday life around these spaces — rituals, gatherings and routines that give them meaning.

The format has been kept deliberately simple, allowing submissions through mobile photography and short reels, making it accessible to students, young content creators and local residents who may not otherwise engage with formal heritage platforms, officials added.

 ‘Share Your Personal Treasure’

Participants are invited to submit objects of personal or family significance — old coins, handwritten letters, heirloom utensils, jewellery or vintage photographs — along with brief written accounts explaining their history, officials said. The idea is to bring attention to forms of heritage that exist within households and are often passed down informally across generations.

According to officials, such documentation can also help identify places and cultural elements with strong local relevance, which may be integrated into the state’s wider tourism framework over time.

Entries can be submitted online in specified formats to ensure authenticity. Top entries will be awarded prizes, while select submissions, particularly from the second campaign, will be displayed at the State Museum, officials added.