The Huntington Homestead Museum seeks to acquire objects, images, and documents connected to Governor Samuel Huntington (1731-1796) and his family circle, with a few exceptions [1]. The Museum evaluates potential donations based on the following guidelines:
1. Is the object useful to our mission and collecting priorities?
2. Does the object have aesthetic merit, and/or possess research potential for the scholarship of the family, Native American, and Black Americans that lived on or near the homestead during this eighteenth century time frame?
3. Is the object useful for our exhibition purposes?
4. Can the object be properly conserved, stored, and protected within our museum?
5. Does the object have free and clear title?
6. Can the authenticity and provenance of the object be documented? [2]
7. Does the donor hold copyright for the object that can be transferred to the Museum.
The Huntington Homestead Museum collects material for its historical value. We are a non-profit institution, and donors can claim a tax deduction on gifts to our museum based on a financial appraisal of the donation.
The “Museum” does not provide appraisals for any reason because the Internal Revenue Service regards museums and libraries as interested parties. However, professional appraisers do perform this service for a fee. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America for a referral. The owner of the material must pay the cost of obtaining an outside appraisal, but the cost of the appraisal is also tax-deductible.
The Huntington Homestead Museum recommends that donors check with an attorney or financial advisor about any tax implications.
[1] Modern accessories for upkeep and building maintenance.
[2] Provenance, meaning a documented history of ownership of the object.