The Collection
The Archive contains a vast assemblage of artifacts from every walk of life; from prehistoric Native American tools to relics of the Industrial Age, and public and private items unique to southeast Iowa and the region. This collection includes photographs, architectural drawings and blueprints, manuscripts, personal papers and documents, business/industrial papers and documents, advertising, locally published newspapers, scrapbooks, military records, bound volumes, and audio, video and film footage.
Interested in Donating to the Des Moines County Historical Society Collection?
Thank you for your interest in contributing another piece of history to the Des Moines County Historical Society. As keeper of the community’s memory, the DMCHS’s collection reflect the people who have lived here. These collections encompass the heritage of Des Moines County, Iowa and surrounding region. Many of those items in our collection are the result of donations from individuals, families, and organizations. Donated items are preserved at the museum to be used for research, interpretation of community history, and as artifacts in exhibits and educational programs.
If you are interested in donating items to the museum, please complete the Donation Form, and allow 20 days for processing. If you have any questions, please contact the Des Moines County Historical Society by phone at 319.752.7449, by mail, or by email at collections@dmchs.org.
CLICK HERE FOR COLLECTION DONATION FORM
***Please Note: Artifacts cannot be accepted without prior communication with Collections staff.
What Kind of Artifacts are Not Accepted into the Collection?
Although the DMCHS accepts a wide varity of types of artifacts, we cannot accept items that fall into these categories:
- We are not currently accepting textiles or paper based artifacts for our collection, except on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the museum for more information.
- We cannot accept modern firearms or live ammunition.
- We cannot accept illegal or prohibited items, per local, state and federal laws.
- We do not purchase items for out collection at any time
How are my Donations Reviewed to be Accepted into the Collection?
Once a Donation Form is received, the item(s) presented will first be reviewed by a member of the Collections staff who will then make the recommendation to the DMCHS Collections Committee. This committee is made up of staff knowledgeable in both the scope of the DMCHS collection as well as the conservation issues associated with artifact and document care.
This committee uses several questions as guidelines to evaluate the potential of an item. These questions are:
- Does the object fit with the museum’s Mission and Collections Management Policy?
- Does the object represent a significant event, person, community, place, business, or organization in Des Moines County, Iowa and surrounding region?
- Does the object represent a milestone or pivotal point in history?
- Does the object represent a unique material, technique, or design?
- Does the object fill a void in, duplicate an item in, or support items in the existing collection?
- Is there documentation (written or oral) on the object?
- What is the overall condition of the object?
- What impact would the object have on available storage space?
The committee uses these criteria as specified in the DMCHS Collections Management Policy to guide its decisions. This policy also specifies the current areas of our collections.
To view a copy of our Collections Management Policy, Please click the link below:
What Happens after the Collections Committee Makes Its Decision?
The DMCHS Collections Coordinator will contact individuals via phone or email and inform them of the decision. Further discussion on the next steps will take place at that time.
Will an Item I Donate be on Display?
The Des Moines County Historical Society cannot guarantee that any objects or documents donated to its collection will be exhibited unless expressly collected for that purpose. Only a small fraction of the collection is on view at any given time. This minimizes the risk of damage to artifacts and documents and helps us preserve those items for future generations. However, artifacts and documents can be made accessible for research purposes.
If My Item is Not on Display, Can I See It?
If you have donated an item to the collection and it is not on display, please know that it has been properly stored to promote preservation of its current condition, and will remain so until removed for exhibition or research purposes. If you would like to see an item you donated, use the Artifact for Research Request form. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.
How Can I Use My Item for Research Purposes?
Items belonging to the the DMCHS can be made available for researchers. This is by appointment only. If you would like to use an artifact from the collection for research, fill out the Research Request Form. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing, at which time staff will respond to those requests.
Is My Donation Tax Deductible?
Yes. The Des Moines County Historical Society is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, making the fair market value of a donation 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. It is recommended that you consult with your own accountant, attorney, or the IRS to ensure that you receive the maximum tax benefit. You may also consult Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.
Can the Des Moines County Historical Society Give Me an Appraisal of My Donation?
The DMCHS does not provide appraisals of materials proposed for donation or for any other reason. Because the Internal Revenue Service regards museums and libraries as interested parties, monetary appraisals prepared for donors by such institutions are subject to question or disqualification. 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 http://www.appraisers.org/
International Society of Appraisers http://www.isa-appraisers.org/
Appraisers Association of America http://www.appraisersassoc.org/
Please know that we recommend getting an appraisal of items prior to proposing them to the museum for donation. All fees associated with appraisal are the responsibility of the donor.
Can I Loan an Item to the Des Moines County Historical Society?
Yes, DMCHS does borrow items for exhibit. In addition to the museum’s artifacts, we sometimes borrow items that are not represented in our collection from other cultural institutions, businesses, or individuals to enhance our exhibits. However, the museum is unable to accept long term loans, loans for an unspecified period of time, or items that are not related to a specific exhibit. We may seek artifacts in support of upcoming exhibits, but these loans are for a limited time, typically no more than 12 months, and are based on our needs as determined by the collection staff.