Donation offers that are mailed to or dropped off at the Ohio History Center or one of our sites without previously contacting the staff may not be accepted for the Ohio History Connection collections. To ensure that all donated materials are properly documented and preserved, it is important for you to call or email the curators.
Please give a specific description of the items you want to donate so your offer can be forwarded to the person best able to respond. It would also be helpful if you can send digital pictures of the items.
We receive a high number of calls and e-mails and will do our best to respond in 10-15 business days.
History collections contain three-dimensional objects related to life in Ohio. This includes historical and contemporary objects and works of art. At this time we have a robust collection of historical objects. Right now we are only accepting pieces that were made or used by African Americans or recent immigrants in Ohio that are in excellent condition. If your piece(s) fits this description, please e-mail photographs of the items to collections@ohiohistory.org so that the history curators can evaluate them. Otherwise, we suggest you contact local or county historical societies in the area in which the piece was made or used.
When you communicate with a curator(s) about a donation, they will give you instructions for dropping off or shipping the material. Please do not mail or drop off any materials for donation without making prior arrangements with the curatorial staff. The Ohio History Connection is not obligated to preserve any materials that are dropped off or mailed without making prior arrangements.
Visit the History Collections web pages for more information about their collections and staff.