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Object Donation

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology accepts donations of documented ethnographic, archaeological, osteological, and archival materials that support the Museum’s mission. Acquired collections are used to support the Museum’s research activities, educational programs, and exhibitions.

Donors are asked to contact the specific Curator/Archivist and the Collections Manager before bringing the object(s) to the Museum. This will provide the Museum time to answer any questions you may have and also to make any necessary preparations.

Donors are also invited to make an additional cash gift to the Museum’s Curatorial Fund to aid with the care and preservation of the object(s).

If you would like to donate objects to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, please send all inquiries to a Curator, Archivist, or Collections Manager. All donation inquiries must include:

  • Intent, in writing, to donate an object(s)
  • Object information and images
  • Collecting history and information about object ownership, if known

All proposals are first reviewed by the appropriate Curator or Archivist and Collections Manager and then further reviewed by the Museum’s Collections Committee. This Committee meets once a month and makes recommendations to the Museum Director for final approval. The Collections Manager will inform the donor about the Collections Committee’s and Museum Director’s final decision. If the donation is approved, the Collections Manager will contact the donor to schedule a day and time to drop off the object(s) and to complete the required paperwork.

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology does not condone the illegal collection of objects. The Museum will request the appropriate documentation to demonstrate legal collecting or acquisition of the object(s).

Thank you for your interest in donating object(s) to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology.