A picture is worth a thousand words. Which is why that photograph of your sister licking the David ice sculpture at cousin Maria’s wedding isn’t hanging in the living room. (You keep it tucked away for blackmail.)

Not that there’s anything else hanging in your living room. That could change, though, with one trip to the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

The museum houses a photo archive through which you’re free to poke around. When you find that perfect snapshot, they’ll provide you (for a reasonable fee) with either a reproduction — big or small — or digital scan.

The collection includes filing cabinets full of old images — Miami Beach hotels circa the early 1900s, Ernest Hemingway, and 1950s sun bunnies, just to name a few — so prepare to spend a few hours sifting.

But it’s worth it, as they’re the kind of photographs that’ll make for great conversation at your next dinner party.

And keep your sister away from your sock drawer.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida, 101 West Flagler Street, Downtown (305-375-1492 or hmsf.org).