Artifact Donation Guidelines

Donation Guidlines

The Sheboygan County Museum is dedicated to the conservation, research, and education related to the communities of Sheboygan County and the larger state and country. In order to fulfill this role, one component of the Museum’s responsibilities is to collect, preserve and exhibit artifacts and history representative of all aspects of Sheboygan County history. The collection enables the staff to research, exhibit and educate regarding Sheboygan County’s history, providing a basis for the continuing reappraisal of our knowledge of the past and present.

Through the generosity of countless donors over the last 100 years, the Museum cares for a diverse collection of objects representing thousands of years of history. We are grateful for the many who have generously shared their treasures with us, enabling the Museum to fulfill our mission.

Collection Management Policy

The Sheboygan County Museum continues to acquire items for the collection today, guided in part by our Collection Management Policy. The following are of particular significance in our consideration for potential acquisitions:

The objects are relevant to and consistent with the Museum’s mission.

1. 1. The item is not adequately represented in the collection.
   2. The Museum has the resources to catalog, care for, and exhibit the object now and into the future.
   3. The objects must not have been collected or acquired under unethical or illegal circumstances or have questionable provenance.
   4. The owner of the object has the authority to transfer ownership to the Museum.
   5. The object is being donated without restrictions on use, exhibition, or future disposition.

Donation Process and Guidelines

If you have an object you feel would be appropriately considered by the Museum for the collection, we encourage you to reach out to staff. Please use the following guidelines:

1. Send an email to the Museum at [email protected]. Your message should include:
   • A brief description of the item
   • Details of the history of the object, particularly connections to Sheboygan County
   • Information related to the overall condition of the object, including if it has been heavily altered in the past
   • Any notes of particular significance you think should be part of the consideration of the object
   • Overview photographs
   • Contact information, including email and phone numbers
2. Wait to hear back from a member of the Museum staff. Please understand that the donation process is not always fast. Prior to responding, Museum staff are likely to research the object, along with reviewing the current collection for similar items. We aim to provide at least initial feedback within one week.
3. We cannot guarantee a staff member will be available to talk or review a donation in person here at the Museum without both prior communication and an appointment.
4. If we are unable to accept the item for the collection, we may be able to offer some alternative suggestions.