Artifact Donation

Donations of Artifacts, Photographs, and Archival Materials
The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) thanks you for your interest in donating your artifacts! The NMMC’s mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit objects of interest to the history of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). To accomplish this goal, the NMMC acquires a wide variety of artifacts and historic materials for use in exhibits, as reference materials, and to assist in conducting original research on Marine Corps history. The NMMC follows the ethical guidelines for acquiring artifacts established by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and reviews every donation offer to determine whether it meets NMMC collection needs and falls within the Museum’s mission.

What does the NMMC collect?
The NMMC collects artifacts in a selective and responsible manner by following its collections rationale which details the kinds of items  that can be collected and those that cannot. Common items of interest to the NMMC include well-documented uniform items, issued field gear and equipment, memorabilia, original art work, and Marine family items. The NMMC broadly collects items associated with the Marine Corps from 1775 to the current day, items related to foes that the Marine Corps has faced on the battlefield, and items associated with allies and partners with whom the Marines have proudly fought side-by-side.

Please see the NMMC’s regularly updated Donation Wish List  for specific items that the NMMC is currently seeking to add to the collection.

What does the NMMC NOT collect?
With some exceptions – such as the U.S. Navy Seabees, Corpsmen, or Chaplains – the NMMC does not collect artifacts associated with other U.S. military service branches or foreign militaries that the Marine Corps has not directly opposed or supported.

Additionally, though crucial to its mission, the NMMC does not retain archival materials. Original documents such as photographs, personal papers and correspondence, official records, log books, etc., are collected and preserved by the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division, located at Marine Corps Base Quantico. While the NMMC does not directly collect or care for archival materials, the Museum works closely with donors to see that offered archival materials are transferred to the Archives Branch for review. NMMC curators may even request archive materials from donors to better document offered collections, and these materials are eventually transferred to the Archives Branch.

To donate archival materials directly to the Marine Corps History Division, Archives Branch, please contact: history.division@usmcu.edu.

How do I contact the Museum to make a donation?
If you have artifacts that you would like to donate to the Museum, please fill out a Donation Information Form and email it to NMMC Collections Branch at: Owen.Conner@usmcu.edu.
Or send to:
National Museum of the Marine Corps
ATTN: Curatorial Section
1775 Semper Fidelis Way
Triangle, VA 22172

Please include a list of the items you are offering (photographs of the items are also very helpful) along with as much detailed information as you have about the items and/or the Marine that used them.

Download Donation Information Form

Can’t I just mail or drop off a donation to the Museum?
No, the NMMC does not accept unsolicited donations. Due to the volume of donation offers that the NMMC receives each year, the Museum cannot accept unsolicited material dropped off at the Museum or unsolicited material sent through the mail. Donations can only be dropped off at the Museum or curatorial offices after written confirmation with a curator or the Registrar.

How are donation offers reviewed and who decides?
The Curatorial Section Chief receives donation offers and forwards those to the appropriate curator(s) for initial review and consideration based on the submitted Donation Information Form, photographs of the offered items, etc. Often, the curators will contact the donor(s) to get additional information about the offered items and/or request that the offered items be sent to the NMMC for assessment. The Registrar will contact the donor and provide shipping instructions and a Temporary Custody Receipt for items submitted for assessment by a curator. Based on the research and review of the existing collection, the curator may propose the offered item(s) for accession into the permanent collection to the NMMC Collections Committee. This committee consists of the Director, Registrar, and curators. Accepted donations are retained for possible exhibit at the museum, loan to certified museums, organizations, or USMC activities, or preserved in secure collections storage for future research and study. If during the donation process it is determined that offered items do not meet the criteria for acceptance into the NMMC’s collection, the items may be declined and either returned to the donor or disposed of by the Museum, with the written permission of the donor. The NMMC will not forward offered materials to other organizations.

Why is the museum so selective in what it accepts?
With the mission to collect, interpret, and present nearly 250 years of Marine Corps history, the NMMC has neither the storage capability nor the staff resources to accept all items offered for donation. The Museum’s curators follow the NMMC Collections Rationale closely and are very focused on collecting artifacts to fill existing gaps in the Museum’s collection.

What happens after I donate something to the NMMC?
Once a donation is recommended by the NMMC’s Collections Committee and approved by the Director, the Registrar will notify the donor and provide a Deed of Gift for the donor to sign and return. The Deed of Gift transfers legal ownership of the donated materials to the USMC. Once the NMMC receives the signed Deed of Gift, the Collection Manager begins the accessioning process, in which the item(s) are cataloged into the collection and professionally preserved.

Does the Museum accept long-term loans?
It is against NMMC policy to accept long-term loans of historical property. Such loans impose a significant administrative burden on the Museum as well as other responsibilities and are contrary to professional museum best practices. The NMMC will accept short-terms loans only for the purpose of exhibition for a specific and limited period. Items offered to the Museum are accepted only when offered as unconditional donated gifts to the USMC without restrictions, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Will items that I donate be exhibited?
While the Museum cannot guarantee that any item will be placed on exhibit, when accepting a donated item, the NMMC commits to the donor to preserve and care for the item as a valued part of the NMMC collection. As is typical for museums of the NMMC’s size, less than 10% of the collection is on exhibit at any one time. When not exhibited, artifacts remain in secure storage and may be used for research, future exhibit needs, and as a historical study for future generations.

Can the Museum do an appraisal of my donation?
The NMMC cannot provide appraisals. One of the organizations below may be able to assist with finding an appraiser:
American Society of Appraisers
International Society of Appraisers
Appraisers Association of America