Donate to the Collections 

The Museum of African American History welcomes donations of artifacts, documents, prints, photographs, and other items of material culture that are in line with our collections scope:

The Museum of African American History collects artifacts and archival materials of New England relating to the cultural life of people of African descent and the pursuit of liberty and justice in America. The primary focus is the colonial period through the end of the 19th century. The secondary focus is the 20th century.

MAAH does not accept unsolicited objects, images, or documents without evaluating the historic significance, condition, and ownership. Please submit a completed Collection Donation Form describing the material you wish to donate. Your information will be treated as confidential. If you are unable to complete the donation form, please email collections@maah.org

Can I mail or drop off a donation?

No, MAAH cannot accept unsolicited donations through the mail or in-person without a formal letter of acceptance from the museum.

Can you tell me how much my material is worth?

No, the Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, is prohibited by the IRS and the code of ethics of the American Alliance of Museums from assigning a monetary value—real or perceived—to objects proposed for donation. However, professional appraisers will perform this service for a fee. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, contact one of the following organizations for a referral:

• American Society of Appraisers: appraisers.org
• International Society of Appraisers: isa-appraisers.org
• Appraisers Association of America: appraisersassociation.org

How are potential donations reviewed?

The Collections Committee meets quarterly to review potential donations. At this time, the Committee will determine if your object fits into the museum’s mission and its collections policy. If accepted, you will be contacted by the Director of Collections to arrange to have the donated materials picked up, shipped to, or dropped off at the Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket.

Once the form is received, the Collections Department will contact you within 3-4 weeks, barring extenuating circumstances.