1. Call and talk to us
Please call the Curator of Collections at 448-4460, ext. 211 before bringing in your object. The Museum has a set of guidelines that staff must follow in deciding what we accept. The curator must decide if we are interested in your objects or if they may be more appropriate at another museum.
2. Make an appointment
We'd hate to not be available to help you, and realize your frustration when you have made a trip to the Neville for nothing. To avoid this situation, we ask that you make an appointment in advance after talking with the Curator of Collections.
3. Bring in the objects
Come into the front of the Museum. Give the security guard your name and the name of the staff member with whom you have made your appointment. The staff member will come to greet you, and complete a Temporary Custody Agreement that includes your name, address, phone number and any information you would like to share about your object.
4. That's it! Now what?
Once a month, the curatorial staff attend a special meeting where they review all objects offered to the Neville for its collections. This Collections Committee Review Process is the opportunity for staff to examine each object in light of our museum collecting guidelines. If the Committee decides to accept your object for the collections, you will be notified by mail.
As part of the notification, you will receive a Deed of Gift. This form is a legal document which passes ownership of the object to the Museum. You need to sign the original and return it in the enclosed envelope. Donations to the Neville Public Museum are tax deductible, but the Museum and its staff are not allowed by the IRS to appraise your gift. Appraisals for tax purposes must be done by an outside, independent appraiser. If an object is not accepted, you will receive a letter in the mail asking you to pick it up.