Donations

City Museum Object Donation Policy

Thank you for considering the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as a potential home for your belongings. The museum welcomes gifts of objects, photographs, and documents that enhance or develop the collection. Due to the high costs of providing the long-term care of our collection, and the current collection storage capacities, the museum reserves the right to decline donations when necessary or appropriate.

Please do not send or drop off objects without prior consultation with a paid museum representative:

Objects and belongings that are dropped off at the museum without documentation transferring the ownership and care to the museum have the potential to cause disputes with other potential heirs in the future. It is vital that proper ownership is transferred to the museum during the donation process. Objects that are abandoned at the museum during or after hours without proper documentation are considered undocumented property and will consume vital museum resources without care for seven or more years. (AK Stat § 14.57.210 (2023))

Decisions about donations are made by the Director and Curator of the museum based on the following criteria to strengthen our mission:

  • The object relates directly to a person or event that is important to Juneau, Douglas, and the surrounding areas.
  • The object does not duplicate an object already in the collection.
  • The object fills a gap in the already existing collection.
  • The museum has adequate and appropriate space to care for the object.
  • The museum has adequate resources to care for the object in perpetuity.
  • The object was collected and received in full compliance with all laws and regulations of the country of origin, individual states and the United States Federal Government.
  • The object was acquired in a manner that does not damage the natural or cultural resources of Alaska.
  • The physical condition of the object

We do not accept donations:

  • brought in without prior consultation or arrangements,
  • as permanent loans,
  • with any conditions,
  • that do not relate to Juneau-Douglas’ history or its community.

To offer an object to the museum:

Please fill out a donor intent form and take photographs of the object(s). Then send these materials to the Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Dara Lohnes-Davies at [email protected]. To download a donor intent form or a copy of our donation policy, please click the links below: