Donate Artifacts or Documents
The USS Constitution Museum is always adding Constitution-related artifacts and records to its growing permanent collection. This extraordinary collection, housed in two climate-controlled storage facilities on site, is at the heart of the Museum’s mission to share the story of “Old Ironsides.”
If you are interested in donating an item to the Museum, please contact the Curatorial Department or fill out the Item Donation Form at the bottom of this page. Donation guidelines are listed below. If possible, please attach images.
Contact the Curatorial Department:
curatorial@usscm.org
617-426-1812 ext. 137
Donation Guidelines
- Items brought or sent to the Museum without prior notice will not be accepted.
- Items donated must be consistent with the USS Constitution Museum’s stated mission and collecting policy.
- The Museum will make every effort to ascertain that items offered are not stolen, wrongfully converted, or acquired under false pretenses.
- A signed Deed of Gift, provided by the Museum, is required to complete the donation transaction. All donations are irrevocable and unconditional. All right, title, and interests (including all copyright, trademark and related interests) are transferred to the Museum.
- The Museum cannot guarantee that objects donated will be placed on exhibition.
- Federal law prohibits the Museum from providing appraisal services to patrons who might be in possession of USS Constitution-related art and objects, or other historic materials. Appraisals are the responsibility of the donor. The American Society of Appraisers and the Appraisers Association of America offer lists of certified appraisers.
- The Museum is chartered as a non-profit institution, and the value of donation is tax deductible within the limits of the law.
