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1. How do I donate an artifact?

If you are interested in making an artifact donation, please contact the Registrar at 630.548.1115 to discuss your potential donation and/or to set up an appointment for item review.

2. What does the Naperville Heritage Society collect?

The Naperville Heritage Society collects both two- and three-dimensional materials depicting Naperville’s history from its founding in 1831 to the present day, including materials related to Naperville businesses, schools, families, etc. To date there are nearly 75,000 items in the Museum Collection, including more than 14,000 photographic images. The materials accepted into the museum's permanent collection are held in public trust and are preserved in perpetuity according to prevailing museum standards.

3. What happens after I contact the Registrar?

Once you have made an appointment with the Registrar to meet either at your home or at Naper Settlement and your materials are taken for consideration, a temporary custody receipt is completed for every potential donation. On this form are spaces to note donor name and contact information, object name and description, any known history of an item, a space to check whether or not you want your item back if it is declined and a space to sign and date the receipt form by both the donor and the Registrar. A completed copy of this form is given to potential donors at the time items are dropped off or picked up.

If you do not live in the Naperville area, it is recommended that you mail or email images of the material to the Registrar. Once an item is offered for potential acquisition, it is added to a list of items to be discussed at an Acquisition Committee meeting. If an item does not fall within scope for the museum collection, it potentially could be added to the reference or education collections.

4. How are proffered materials reviewed by the museum?

Proffered donations are reviewed by the museum's Acquisition Committee, which consists of staff members from the museum's Museum Services division, as well as a Naperville Heritage Society Board appointed member, and the President & CEO and Chairman of the Board, all of whom are knowledgeable about the museum's collection holdings. The Committee's decision is guided by the criteria specified in the collecting scope, but also considers proffered materials with respect to condition, duplication to current holdings, as well as the required resources to properly store and care for the object in perpetuity. The sensitive nature of certain materials and objects or ownership and copyright issues may also determine the ability to collect them. Each item is decided upon by majority vote.

5. How long will it take for the museum to review my donation?

On average, the Acquisition Committee meets every six weeks. After the meeting, you will be notified by the Registrar of the decision about your proffered donation. It should be noted that certain proffered donations require some research prior to Acquisition Committee review, which will delay the decision regarding the acquisition.

6. Will the Naperville Heritage Society provide an appraisal for my donation?

The Naperville Heritage Society cannot provide appraisals for donated materials due to a potential conflict of interest. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) views museums as interested parties, and any monetary appraisal prepared for donors by the museum are subject to question or disqualification. You can find a qualified appraiser by contacting the following organization. American Society of Appraisers

7. Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?

The Naperville Heritage Society is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, and donations may be considered for tax deduction under the society's 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Typically, the fair market value of donated materials is generally tax deductible. To be eligible for the tax deduction for your donation, you must file tax form 1040. For donors wishing to take a tax deduction on donated materials valued over $500 within the year the deduction is taken, the society will complete IRS Form 8283 (Non-cash Charitable Contributions), Part IV, Donee Acknowledgment. It is also recommended that donors consult with their own accountant, attorney and the IRS to ensure the maximum benefit of the tax deduction is realized for donated materials.

8. Will the Naperville Heritage Society exhibit my donated items?

NHS cannot guarantee that any donated materials will be exhibited, unless collected and accepted explicitly for that purpose. The museum is committed to ensuring the long-term preservation of donated materials, displayed or preserved in storage. Based on various factors and criteria such as condition and display needs for the museum, many donated materials are available for scholarly research and, on occasion, loaned to other museums and cultural centers for special displays and exhibitions.

9. If I donate materials to the Naperville Heritage Society (NHS), will they be returned upon my request?

NHS cannot return accessioned items to donors. Once the Acquisition Committee approves the acceptance of your proffered donation into the museum's permanent collection, a Deed of Gift is issued by the registrar and signed by the donor. This document provides transfer of legal ownership of the item to the Naperville Heritage Society.

10. If the museum will not accept my item as a donation, will they accept it as a long-term loan?

The Naperville Heritage Society does not generally accept long-term or permanent loans. While various materials are accepted on a short-term basis related to special exhibitions, programs or events, the institution chooses to commit its resources to the storage and preservation of objects within its own permanent collection holdings.