Museum Artifacts

Donations to the museum’s artifact collections follow a very specific process which is in accordance with standards and guidelines supported by the American Alliance of Museums.

When a donation is offered, the donor must complete a Temporary Artifact Receipt. This does not transfer ownership to the museum, but gives us permission to consider the gift for the collection.

Once a month, our Collections Review Committee meets to consider all new donation offers. We evaluate them based on their connection to our mission, whether there is significant documentation and history for the artifact, and whether the piece is a duplicate of something we already have in our collections. Other criteria specific to each donation are also considered. If accepted, the donor signs a Deed of Gift, thereby transferring ownership to the museum and completing the donation.

All donations are unconditional and unrestricted gifts to the museum. For more information about our procedures, you may:

  • Check out our brochure entitled "Artifact Donations" for answers to the most frequently asked questions about the process.
  • Read the museum’s current Collections Management Policy for the requirements and guidelines the museum follows in relation to its artifact collections. This policy is approved by the Board of Directors.
  • Call the museum and ask to speak with staff about our collections or email the Curator of Collections.

Library and Archive Materials

Donations to our Genealogy Center are handled separately and through a different process. Please contact the Genealogy Center Manager, or click here for more information.