Collections

A Union Pacific coin on display at Pullman National Historical Park

NPS Image

Pullman National Historical Park is just beginning to form its museum collection. It will consist of historic objects associated with the Pullman company and the labor history movement of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The objects may include archival and manuscript collections such as oral histories, photographs, resource management records, and art objects. It will also consist of archeological materials systematically excavated from within the park boundary and associated filed records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the park accept into the museum collections? The park accepts items that relate to the site and contribute directly to the understanding of the purpose, themes, and resource of the park. The Scope of Collection Statement defines areas of collecting. Along with fitting into the Scope of Collection, the park must have adequate storage space, and the donor must have the item’s full legal title. Please contact the Assistant Superintendent for current criteria as this document is evaluated on a routine basis.

I have an item I think would fit into your collection that I’d like to donate. Now what? Great! Before bringing the item to the park or mailing it there are a few steps you’ll need to take. The first step is to contact the Assistant Superintendent. Include photographs, background information (such as provenance), and measurements of the item(s).All potential donations are reviewed by the park’s Collections Advisory Committee. The team meets regularly to evaluate potential donations and ensure they are consistent with the Scope of Collections Statement. The team will make a recommendation to the park Superintendent, who will make a final decision. After final approval by the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent will work with the donor to transfer the donation to the park. Donors must sign paperwork, transferring ownership of the item(s) to the National Park Service.Not all items can be accepted into the park’s collection. When this happens, the Assistant Superintendent may recommend other museums or collecting institutions that may be a good home for the item(s).

Can objects be dropped off or sent to the park? Leaving objects or artifacts at the park is strongly discouraged. If you or a designated representative leaves the item(s) at the park, you do so at your own risk! You will be provided with a receipt showing that the item was left at the park, and you must complete a Statement of Ownership form so that we may contact you once your donation has been evaluated. Leaving an object(s) at the park does not guarantee that it will be permanently retained by the park. If you are interested in donating, please start by contacting the Assistant Superintendent.

What happens to the item once it becomes part of the Pullman NHP’s museum collection? Artifacts and archives in the Pullman NHP’s museum collection are used in many ways.The collection is available to researchers by request and used by park staff to develop public programs interpreting the history of the site. Staff at the national park also create museum exhibits using artifacts from the museum collection, write articles featuring items in the collection, and share them on digital platforms.The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving the collection for this and future generations. The Cultural Resources team is committed to the highest level of care for all the artifacts in the collection. While it can sometimes be bittersweet to part from treasured heirlooms, even when they are safely located in a museum, donors and their friends and family may wish to schedule a time with our curators to view donated artifacts in storage.

I want to see the item I donated on display. Will you lock my item away in a drawer or storage room?We wish that every artifact could be on display for the public to see. Not everything can fit in our exhibit space. Also in consideration of the preservation needs of fragile artifacts, some museum collections pieces are stored in climate-controlled curatorial storage.However, there are many other ways that collections not currently on view at the park are shared with the public:

• Art and artifacts from the museum collection are sometimes borrowed by other museums for exhibition.
• Artifacts are often shared on the park's digital platforms.
• Images of artifacts are used by park rangers in public programs or as part of a larger exhibit.
• Curatorial staff may bring out specific artifacts for special tours or public programs.

Sensitive artwork or artifacts are generally not placed on permanent exhibit, but periodically allowed time to "rest" in storage to reduce the stresses of being on exhibit. Light is especially damaging, and its effects are permanent and irreversible. While not exciting, proper storage is a very important part of keeping an artifact in good condition so that it can be on display in the future.

What about copyright? The creator of an artwork, photograph, etc., is the copyright holder. Purchasing a piece of art does not transfer copyright to the purchaser unless explicitly stated in documentation.The National Park Service encourages the transfer of copyright with all donations. The Deed of Gift form addresses copyright issues. Although retaining copyright does not automatically prevent a donation to the park, the copyright status of every piece must be documented. If you are the copyright holder you may transfer copyright to the National Park Service or provide limited rights (which must be specified at the time of donation). If you are not the copyright holder, you may still donate an item, but you must make it clear that you do not hold copyright for the item and that it is not being transferred with the artwork.

Will I get credit for donating the item if or when it is put on display? All donor information is kept confidential, to the fullest extent of the law. However, donors will have a chance to let us know how they would like to be credited when an object is on view. Credit lines should be a short, unobtrusive statement such as "Gift of the J.H. Smith Family."

Is a donated item tax deductible?Yes! All donations to the National Park Service are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. For a donation to be tax deductible, the donor is responsible for:

• Establishing the value of the gift for tax deduction purposes (see FAQ #2)

• Meeting Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements

• Completing a Noncash Charitable Contributions Form (IRS Form 8283)

• Providing appraisal information for items that total over $5,000

I’m not quite ready to donate my item to the park. Can I loan it to you instead? Loaned objects are accepted on a case-by-case basis for research and exhibit purposes. Long term incoming loans must also be evaluated by the Collections Advisory Committee, in the process described above. We do not accept indefinite loans of objects. Contact the Assistant Superintendent for more information about loaning an object.

For the current Scope of Collections Statement click here.