Donate to the History Museum’s Archival Collection

Frequently Asked Questions about Donations

• How are my donations reviewed to be accepted into the collection?

  Once an Artifact Donation Form is received, the item(s) presented will first be reviewed by a member of the Collections staff, who will then make the recommendation to the museum’s Collections Management Committee. This committee is made up of staff knowledgeable in both the scope of the museum’s collection and the conservation issues associated with artifacts and document care.

  This committee uses several questions as guidelines to evaluate the potential of an item becoming part of the museum’s permanent collection. Some of these questions are:

  • Does the object fit with the museum’s Mission and Collections Management Policy?
  • Does the object represent a significant event, person, community, place, business, or organization in the St. Joseph Valley Region?
  • Does the object fill a void in, duplicate an item in, or support items in the existing collection?
  • What impact would the object have on available storage space?

  The committee uses these criteria as specified in the museum’s Collections Management Policy to guide its decisions. This policy also specifies the current areas of our collections.

  To view a copy of our Collections Management Policy, CLICK HERE

• What happens after the Collections Management Committee makes it decision?

  The museum’s Registrar will contact individuals via phone or email and inform them of the decision. Further discussion on the next steps will take place at that time.

• Will an item I donate be on display?

  The Northern Indiana Historical Society d/b/a The History Museum cannot guarantee that any objects or documents donated to its collection will be exhibited unless expressly collected for that purpose. Only a small fraction of the collection is on view at any given time. This minimizes the risk of damage to artifacts and documents and helps us preserve those items for future generations. However, artifacts and documents can be made accessible for research purposes.

• If my item is not on display, can I see it?

  If you have donated an item to the collection and it is not on display, please know that it has been properly stored in the best materials to preserve its current condition and will remain so until removed for exhibition or research purposes. If you would like to see an item you donated, use the Artifact for Research Request form click here. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

• How can I use an item for research purposes?

  Items belonging to the Northern Indiana Historical Society, d/b/a The History Museum, can be made available to researchers. This is by appointment only. If you would like to use an artifact from The History Museum’s permanent collection for research, fill out the Artifact for Research Request Form click here. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing, at which time the Archivist or Registrar will respond to those requests.

• Is my donation tax deductible?

  Yes. The Northern Indiana Historical Society d/b/a The History Museum is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, making the fair market value of a donation generally tax-deductible. To take advantage of your deduction, you must file tax form 1040 and, depending on the value of your donation, tax form 8283. It is recommended that you consult with your own tax official, accountant, or attorney to ensure that you receive the maximum tax benefit. You may also consult the Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, “Charitable Contributions,” [Click Here] and Publication No. 561, “Determining the Value of Donated Property.”[Click Here]

• Can the museum give me an appraisal of my donation?

  The Northern Indiana Historical Society d/b/a The History Museum cannot provide appraisals of materials proposed for donation or for any other reason. Because the Internal Revenue Service regards museums and libraries as interested parties, monetary appraisals prepared for donors by such institutions may be questioned or disqualified. However, professional appraisers will perform this service for a fee. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, contact one of the following organizations for a referral.

  • American Society of Appraisers –
    https://www.appraisers.org/
  • International Society of Appraisers –
    https://www.isa-appraisers.org/
  • Appraisers Association of America –
    https://www.appraisersassociation.org/

  Please know that we recommend getting an appraisal of items before proposing them to the museum for donation. All fees associated with appraisal are the responsibility of the donor.

• Can I loan an item to the museum?

  Yes, The History Museum does borrow items for exhibit purposes. In addition to the museum’s artifacts, we sometimes borrow items that are not represented in our collection from other cultural institutions, businesses, or individuals to enhance our exhibits. However, the museum is unable to accept long-term loans, loans for an unspecified period, or items that are not related to a specific exhibit. We may seek artifacts in support of upcoming exhibits, but these loans are for a limited time, no more than 12 months, and are based on our needs as determined by the Collections staff.

• Can I donate to the Copshaholm, the Oliver Mansion, collection?

  No, the Copshaholm Collection is a closed collection. Copshaholm, the Oliver Mansion, is presented today exactly as it was given to the Northern Indiana Historical Society in 1988, with the addition of barriers, rugs, and additional handrails to allow visitors to tour the home. Copshaholm and all items on display in the Oliver Mansion were given to the Northern Indiana Historical Society by the descendants of J.D. and Anna Oliver.