How Do I-?: Donate an Item

Donate an Item

The Museum collects artifacts that illustrate the history and science of the people and environments of the Fort Collins area. The Museum is interested in materials that illustrate the historical and contemporary interaction of man and nature, that help tell the story of science in our region, or demonstrate or illustrate scientific principles.

Generally, the Museum is interested in objects that fulfill these criteria:

Have a strong connection to the Fort Collins area. Historical artifacts collected by the Museum should be specific to the Fort Collins area and Cache La Poudre Valley, or be representative of a regional or national lifestyle trend of which Fort Collins was or is a part. The more background information that comes with an object, the more valuable it will be as a museum artifact.
Are in good condition. The Museum does not have a conservator on staff, or a budget to fund extensive conservation work. Objects should be in a suitable condition to be exhibited.
Do not duplicate objects already in the collection.

Objects that are not appropriate for the collection may be valuable to the Museum as material for its Education Use Collection. Objects in this collection are meant to be handled during education programs and are expected to be “used up."

Potential donations must be reviewed by the Museum’s Collections staff members, who are guided by the decisions of the Museum’s Collections Advisory Committee. It is best if you contact a staff member before bringing your objects to the Museum, so that someone will be available to talk with you and look at your item. If you need to drop an object by the Museum, PLEASE talk to someone at the Museum front desk and fill out a temporary receipt. This will provide us with basic information about your potential donation, as well as a way to contact you. Objects left at the Museum without this information lack the background stories essential to their value as artifacts.

frequently asked questions about donations

If I donate an object to the Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, where and when will it be exhibited?
Only a small percentage of the Museum’s collections are on display at any one time. Objects which are not on display are cared for in one of our storage areas and are available for closely supervised research use. The Museum’s exhibits change frequently and are developed around the objects available, and themes which help in telling the stories of our area. Your donation may not go on display immediately, but will serve an important function at the Museum nonetheless.

Will the Museum buy my object?
Generally, the Museum does not have a budget for purchasing objects; our collection has been built mostly thanks to the generosity of our community. If you have an item you would like to offer for sale to the Museum, please submit your offer in the form of a letter and include:

An image of the object,
A detailed description of the object including its present condition, where, and how it was acquired, and
Your asking price.

All purchases must be approved by the Museum’s Collections Advisory Committee, and will depend on the ability of the Museum to secure special funding.

Can I just loan my object to the Museum and get it back later?
The Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center often receives objects on loan for immediate exhibition purposes. We do not accept objects on long-term loan for our collection.

How much is my object worth?
Museum staff members are forbidden legally and according to standard museum ethics from providing appraisals on objects. To find a certified appraiser to evaluate your object, you can contact the American Society of Appraisers at (703) 478-2228 (www.appraisers.org) or the Appraiser Association of America at (213) 889-5404 (www.appraisersassoc.org).

Can the Museum staff tell me anything about my object?
People working at the Museum have a wide variety of backgrounds and resources. We can give you advice on the proper care and storage of your object, and will be happy to help you find out more about it.