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Luzerne County HIstorical Society

Donate an Artifact

DAR members posing outside of the Bear Creek Inn prior to a meeting, circa 1890

LCHS Donation Procedures

We are pleased to discuss donations to the Luzerne County Historical Society from friends, neighbors, and visitors. We need your help to tell the fascinating story of Luzerne County and its people.

Donate an artifact

Donation Criteria

Once a potential donation is brought to the Luzerne County Historical Society, the staff examines it carefully. We review the object(s) using the following criteria:

  • The item relates to the Society’s collection. We collect objects and documents that are related to Luzerne County history.
  • The object will help further the Society’s programmatic and educational goals.
  • The quality and physical condition of the item is good.
  • The provenance is known and relevant.
  • Some or all of the following information is known: the original purpose of the item; who the creator/author(s) was; where and when it was created/written; its relationship to contemporary events; original and subsequent ownership.
  • The item is not a duplicate of an item(s) already in the collection.

Appraisals/Assesment Disclaimer:

Luzerne County Historical Society staff are prohibited by federal tax law and by library and museum ethics from providing appraisals or an assessment of the monetary value of an object. LCHS staff are also prohibited from recommending one appraiser over another. 

To find a qualified appraiser, check your local listings or contact:

American Society of Appraisers:

(800) 272-8258
appraisers.org

National Institute of Appraisers

(800) 676-2148
appraiseroffineart.com

Appraisers Association of America

(212) 889-5404
appraisersassoc.org

International Society of Appraisers

(312) 224-2567
isa-appraisers.org

Grand Prix ace Ralph DePalma ascends Giant's Despair in his factory supported Fiat, 1906

Once the item is assesed

One of two things will happen:

If part or all of the donation is accepted, two deeds of gift will be mailed to the donor. The donor signs the deeds and returns them to LCHS to be countersigned. An original copy of the deed is returned to the donor for her/his records. LCHS retains the second copy with the files on the object.

If part or all of the donation is not accepted, the donor will be notified. The item(s) will then be returned to the donor. Once the signed Deed of Gift is returned, the item(s) become the property of the Luzerne County Historical Society. It/they will then be catalogued, numbered and stored for future generations to enjoy.

Step 1 of 2

Name(Required)
A basic description, ie; newspaper, photograph, furniture or household item, document collection, clothing or textile, book, map, etc.
Number or approximate size of donation (ie; 1 or more boxes)
Donate An Artifact

We continue to collect decorative arts, documents, artifacts, photographs, fine art and more, which are associated with the history of Luzerne County. We look for items that are in good condition and do not duplicate our existing holdings. If you would like to donate an item for the collection. Please note that LCHS staff are prohibited by federal tax law and by library and museum ethics from providing appraisals or an assessment of an item’s monetary value.