So, you’re thinking of donating an object to our collection!
Thank you for thinking of our organization! The vast majority of our collection are made up of donations, given by generous people like you who want their special object to be part of a bigger story.
If you are looking to donate a piece to the collection, please do two things first: 1) Kindly email a clear photo and description of the piece (dimensions, history, etc.) to [email protected]. 2) Wait to make an appointment with staff. Our limited space prohibits us from accepting every item.
I need this item out of my house soon - can I just drop it off?
Please do not drop off your item without prior arrangements! We cannot accept unsolicited donations. The Museum reserves the right to dispose of unsolicited items.
Will the Museum exhibit my donation?
Because of space constraints and changing exhibits, only a small fraction of the collection is on view at any given time. We cannot promise that a given object will be exhibited (unless expressly collected for that purpose). However, exhibits do rotate, education events highlight certain artifacts, and items are always available for research; additionally, the item will be kept in conditions supporting long-term preservation.
How else are donations used? Some pieces are selected for use in education programs. Others may be occasionally loaned to other organizations. Items that are not in line with the museum’s long-term collection goals may be incorporated into the museum’s fundraiser.
If my item is not exactly about whaling, could you still be interested in it?
It depends! Our exhibits, programs, and events are quite diverse.
Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?
The Whaling Museum is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, thus the fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. To take advantage of your deduction, you must file tax form 1040 and, depending on the value of your donation, tax form 8283; consult with your accountant. You may also consult Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.
Can you appraise or authenticate my item?
We do not provide these services. Please check with the American Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, or longislandappraisers.com, who can perform this service to you at a fee.
Do you accept long-term loans?
While the museum accepts loans on a short-term basis in conjunction with special exhibitions, for most typical items, the Museum does not accept long-term loans. We prefer to commit our resources to long-term preservation.
Will the Museum appraise my item for its monetary value?
The Internal Revenue Service deems this a conflict of interest, as museums are “interested parties” and their primary purpose is to acquire and safeguard materials for the public’s educational benefit. However, professional appraisers will perform this service for a fee.
Does the Museum purchase collections?
We do not normally purchase historical materials. Our collections are primarily made up of donations, and we aggressively fund-raise to be able to give these pieces a long-term home.
If I donate an item, can it be returned to me at my request?
No. After signing a Deed of Gift, you transfer permanent ownership to the museum.
Can artifacts be removed from the Museum’s collection?
It’s rare, but it can happen. The Museum may carefully decide to remove objects from the collection through a process called deaccessioning. Artifacts or documents that are damaged beyond repair, are a duplication of other items in the collection, or are outside the interpretive scope of the collection may be considered for deaccessioning.
Thank you!
Thank you for thinking of our organization! The vast majority of our collection are made up of donations, given by generous people like you who want their special object to be part of a bigger story.
If you are looking to donate a piece to the collection, please do two things first: 1) Kindly email a clear photo and description of the piece (dimensions, history, etc.) to [email protected]. 2) Wait to make an appointment with staff. Our limited space prohibits us from accepting every item.
I need this item out of my house soon - can I just drop it off?
Please do not drop off your item without prior arrangements! We cannot accept unsolicited donations. The Museum reserves the right to dispose of unsolicited items.
Will the Museum exhibit my donation?
Because of space constraints and changing exhibits, only a small fraction of the collection is on view at any given time. We cannot promise that a given object will be exhibited (unless expressly collected for that purpose). However, exhibits do rotate, education events highlight certain artifacts, and items are always available for research; additionally, the item will be kept in conditions supporting long-term preservation.
How else are donations used? Some pieces are selected for use in education programs. Others may be occasionally loaned to other organizations. Items that are not in line with the museum’s long-term collection goals may be incorporated into the museum’s fundraiser.
If my item is not exactly about whaling, could you still be interested in it?
It depends! Our exhibits, programs, and events are quite diverse.
Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?
The Whaling Museum is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, thus the fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. To take advantage of your deduction, you must file tax form 1040 and, depending on the value of your donation, tax form 8283; consult with your accountant. You may also consult Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.
Can you appraise or authenticate my item?
We do not provide these services. Please check with the American Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, or longislandappraisers.com, who can perform this service to you at a fee.
Do you accept long-term loans?
While the museum accepts loans on a short-term basis in conjunction with special exhibitions, for most typical items, the Museum does not accept long-term loans. We prefer to commit our resources to long-term preservation.
Will the Museum appraise my item for its monetary value?
The Internal Revenue Service deems this a conflict of interest, as museums are “interested parties” and their primary purpose is to acquire and safeguard materials for the public’s educational benefit. However, professional appraisers will perform this service for a fee.
Does the Museum purchase collections?
We do not normally purchase historical materials. Our collections are primarily made up of donations, and we aggressively fund-raise to be able to give these pieces a long-term home.
If I donate an item, can it be returned to me at my request?
No. After signing a Deed of Gift, you transfer permanent ownership to the museum.
Can artifacts be removed from the Museum’s collection?
It’s rare, but it can happen. The Museum may carefully decide to remove objects from the collection through a process called deaccessioning. Artifacts or documents that are damaged beyond repair, are a duplication of other items in the collection, or are outside the interpretive scope of the collection may be considered for deaccessioning.
Thank you!
