Before submitting a request for artifact donation, please consider the following:
Historic Rangeley Collections
The collections of Historic Rangeley are as varied as the people drawn to the Rangeley Region. The museum accepts donations of historic artifacts that help in meeting our mission of preserving and promoting Rangeley Regional History and Heritage. Historic Rangeley relies on the generosity of donors to enhance and expand the collections. Our collections can be seen at the Outdoor Heritage Museum in Oquossoc, as well as at the Rangeley History Museum in downtown Rangeley.
What artifacts are accepted by Historic Rangeley?
The museum accepts artifacts from prehistoric times to the present day for our collection. We collect a wide variety of artifacts, from those used over a century ago to everyday objects of today. Each potential donation is reviewed by a staff member that works with collections to evaluate its appropriateness for the permanent collection. Artifacts accepted into the collection generally meet the following guidelines:
Support the Historic Rangeley Mission and have relevance and significance to the
collection for supporting potential exhibits.
Be in stable condition or be capable of being returned to stable conditions for long-term preservation, unless the state of deterioration is integral to the significance of the object.
Historic Rangeley must be able to house/store the item and care for it according to
museum industry best practices.
Must not unnecessarily duplicate another item already in the permanent
Collection.
The artifact can be acquired without restrictions such as requirements for a long-term loan or permanent exhibition of the artifact.
What will happen if my artifact is accepted into collections?
If Historic Rangeley Staff determine that an artifact is appropriate for the collection, the donor completes a Deed of Gift transferring legal ownership of the artifact to Historic Rangeley. The donor receives a copy of the Deed of Gift and donations may be tax deductible. IRS regulations and policies prohibit museum staff members from appraising artifacts. Donors who wish to receive a tax deduction for their donation should consult a tax professional and a qualified appraiser prior to completing the Deed of Gift.
Will my artifact be on exhibit?
We cannot guarantee that any artifact will be exhibited and only a small fraction of the collection is on exhibit at any one time. Regardless of whether or not an artifact is placed on exhibit, it is a valued piece of Rangeley Region history and as part of the collection will be preserved to allow future generations to learn about Rangeley’s cultural heritage.
*Submission of this form does not guarantee acceptance of artifacts for donation.