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1. How do I donate objects, images, or documents to the College Park Aviation Museum?

If you have material that you believe would add to the museum’s collection, please use the Collection Donation Form to send a description of your proposed donation.

Please try to include a photograph and measurements of your object, image or document with your form. You are welcome to include any other information you think would be useful for our collections staff. You may submit your form online, by fax or mail, please see address above.  

Once received, your proposed donation will be reviewed by a collection staff member who will contact you within 90 days. If we are interested in accepting your donation, the Collections Staff will work with you on the next steps to incorporate your donation into the museum’s collection. During our staff Collection meeting your donation will be presented alongside a recommendation for acquisition. The Collection Committee, which meets every month (please note, regular reviews may be postponed when staff time is otherwise committed to the development of special exhibitions or special programs). 

2. Can I mail or drop off a donation?

The museum does not accept donations through the mail or in person unless prior arrangements have been made with the appropriate staff member. Any unsolicited donations sent via mail will be returned to the sender. If the Collections Committee approves your donation, staff will contact you to arrange for pick-up or shipping. 

3. How are potential donations reviewed?

Donation offers are reviewed by the curatorial staff who then brings the recommendation to the Museum’s Staff Collection Committee. The committee follows the criteria detailed in the Museum Collection Scope, mentioned above. The condition of the donation is also taken into consideration so we can ensure that the museum can store and properly care for the item, as well as make them accessible. 

4. How long does it take for the College Park Aviation Museum to review proposed donations?

It can take up to 90 days for the review process to be complete. The Collections Committee meets once a month and during that time your proposed donation will be reviewed. 

5. Will the College Park Aviation Museum appraise my donation for its monetary value?

No, the College Park Aviation Museum does not appraise any donation for monetary value. 

6. Will the College Park Aviation Museum exhibit the materials in my donation?

The museum cannot guarantee that any historical materials donated to the collection. Objects, images, and documents from the collection are occasionally loaned to other institutions for temporary exhibits, and many historical materials in the collection are available for research purposes. 

7. If I donate materials to the College Park Aviation Museum, will they be returned to me at my request?

The Museum cannot return accessioned donations. Once you sign the deed of gift, which legally transfers ownership of the object, you will no longer have ownership. 

8. Why Donate?

By donating your objects, you will be preserving a part of your county history for many generations to come. We appreciate your consideration to allow us to care for your precious objects.