Donating an Artifact
Be the future of local history & art: Donating objects and archives to the Museum ensures that important local history and art will benefit future generations for years to come.
Artifact & Archives Collection
The growth of the Brick Store Museum’s collections relies on the generosity of individuals who choose to donate objects and archival materials that illustrate the stories of the communities in which we live. By contributing objects, you help preserve local history and art for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. When historically significant items are sold into private hands, we risk losing them and the valuable stories they hold. By preserving these artifacts at the Brick Store Museum, we can share these important cultural experiences with our community, our state, our nation, and even the world.
Donating an Artifact Brochure
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Click below to download a PDF version of “Donating an Artifact”
Collections Focus
The Museum continually surveys the collection to see what items, histories, cultures, and experiences are missing. Learn more about collecting priorities via the button below.
About the Process
Every donation offer is considered carefully by the Museum’s Collections Committee to determine whether objects are appropriate for our collections, and if it can be properly cared for in perpetuity. The Collections Committee follows guidance from the Museum’s Collections Policy to make these decisions.
Our main guidelines:
- What is the object and what is its purpose?
- Is it significant to Kennebunk or the surrounding communities?
- When, where, and by whom was it created?
- When and under what circumstances did
the donor come to own it (gift, purchase, inheritance, etc.)? - Any other information that might be relevant to the object’s fabrication, use, or ownership history.
If you are interested in donating an artifact, please send your query including object information and photographs to the attention of the Collections Manager info@brickstoremuseum.org. Please be sure to provide your own contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the museum display my donation?
While each object in our collections is significant, we cannot guarantee when your donation will be displayed. Less than 1% of our collections are on display at any given time. Every object is available for research and study, and contributes to the strength of our shared history regardless of time on display. In addition to exhibitions, artifacts are also featured in research articles, publications, public programs, field trips, and more.
Can I deduct the donation on my taxes?
In most cases, artifact donations are tax deductible. Please consult IRS guidelines on deductions for more information. Please be advised that both IRS regulations and Ethical Standards prohibit Museum staff from providing value appraisals or advising on specific tax benefits of any kind. Donors are encouraged to contact independent appraisers for this work.
Can I place a restriction on the donation?
As a general rule the Museum does not accept donations made with restrictions.
Will the museum purchase my object(s)?
Although you are welcome to make an offer to sell, the Museum rarely has the capacity to purchase objects. Consider supporting the Barry-Bodman Collections Fund for this purpose!
Can I send objects to the museum?
Please do not send objects to the Museum unless you have already spoken with Museum staff about your donation.
Educational Collection
Please consider donating items that do not fit the Museum’s Collections Policy to our Education Collection, which allows the public to handle historic objects not in the Museum’s collection during educational programs. This benefits multi-sensory learning for all. The Museum is also looking for historic costumes and props that can be used for the Museum’s educational costume collection.
Contact our Education staff to start a conversation at info@brickstoremuseum.org or (207)985-4802.
Contact Us
Get started on your research journey, ask a question, or be in touch with collections-related questions by emailing us at info@brickstoremuseum.org or by calling (207)985-4802. You can find out more about our Museum team who will be assisting you on our Staff & Trustees page.
Exhibitions
Education
