Artifact Donations

For artifact donation inquiries, please email Grace Armstrong, Manager/Curator, at info@mahonebaymuseum.com. If possible, please include photos and a brief description of the item.

Why Donate to the Mahone Bay Museum?

The Mahone Bay Museum is committed to preserving the history of Mahone Bay and its surrounding areas for future generations. To ensure that our collection is relevant and manageable, we carefully assess each donation.

Donation Criteria

To help us determine whether your artifact fits within our collection, please consider the following:

  • Relevance:
    Was the item used or manufactured in Mahone Bay or the surrounding areas (Blockhouse, Clearland, Martins River, Oakland, Strum Island, Indian Point, Maders Cove, Westhaver’s Island, Fauxburg, or Big Lots)? If the object was primarily used outside of these communities, we are unable to accept it.
  • Uniqueness:
    Does the item add something unique to our collection? Due to limited storage space, we cannot accept items that are similar to those already in our collection.
  • Ownership:
    You must be the rightful owner of the artifact and able to legally transfer it to the museum.
  • Condition:
    Is the object in good condition? We cannot accept items that are deteriorating, moldy, or pest-infested, as these pose a risk to our collection and may require costly conservation treatments.

The Donation Process

  1. Assess Your Item:
    Review the above criteria to see if your artifact is a good fit for our collection.
  2. Email Us:
    Send an email to info@mahonebaymuseum.com with photos and a brief description of the item.
  3. Complete a Questionnaire:
    If your item meets our criteria, we may ask you to complete an artifact questionnaire. Please provide as much detail as possible.
  4. Review by the Collections Committee:
    Your donation will be reviewed by our Collections Committee, who will vote on whether to accept or decline your item.
  5. Notification:
    We will inform you of the decision. If accepted, you will be asked to sign a deed of gift to legally transfer ownership of the artifact.
  6. Cataloging:
    Once accepted, your donation will be accessioned and cataloged as part of our permanent collection.

Additional Information

  • Long-Term Loans:
    We do not accept items on loan or with special conditions. Once you sign a deed of gift form, you give full custody of the artifact to the Mahone Bay Museum. The item will not be returned, and your preferences regarding its storage or display will not be considered.
  • Purchase Requests:
    As a community museum, we do not have an acquisitions budget and cannot purchase items. Donations are always made without compensation.
  • Unsolicited Donations:
    Please do not leave items at the museum without prior communication. Dropping off items without proper documentation creates unnecessary strain on our resources and can lead to legal complications.
  • Storage and Display:
    Most of our artifacts are kept in a controlled storage area and are not on display. Donations are chosen for their historical significance, not for exhibition purposes. If your item is displayed, you will not be involved in the exhibit development process.

Thank You

We appreciate your interest in contributing to the Mahone Bay Museum’s collection. Your donation helps preserve the history of our community for future generations.