Our process for donations of objects to CCHM involves all potential donations be reviewed by our Collections Committee, which meets on even-numbered months. We work to ensure all potential donations to the museum’s collection meet our mission as well as our ability to store, preserve, and provide access to those items coming into our collection.

Consider these questions regarding your items before reaching out to us.

• How is it historically relevant and connected to Clark County?
• How did you come into the object? Would you be okay knowing that your ownership of the object would be shared as part of the object’s history?
• How do you imagine it being stored or preserved? Are you okay knowing that objects are frequently rotated out for exhibition, and may be used for research purposes?

CCHM will not accept:

• Items in poor or fragile condition, or items whose condition may become a hazard or harm existing collections in storage.
• Items whose custodial ownership is either unknown or known to be unethical.
• Items whose format is obsolete or whose format CCHM is unable to provide access for (ex: microfilm, microfiche, newsprint, nitrate film, etc.).
• Consideration will be given if means or plans are established for access and digitization prior to donation.
• Items whose means of storage and access exceeds the ability of CCHM’s resources, this includes Items that are too difficult to move, per discretion of the Collections Manager.

If you’ve answered these questions and feel like you’d like to donate, please reach out to us at collections@cchmuseum.org 

Unsolicited Donations:

We cannot accept unsolicited donations into our collection. Please do not send us unsolicited donations, either through post or in person. Doing so overwhelms our ability to properly care and archive our collection, and interferes with our ability to meet our mission as a collection.

CCHM is not obligated to acknowledge, retain, or return unsolicited donations. Items left on CCHM’s property without authorization fall under Vancouver Municipal Code 6.12.120 for unlawful dumping and will be regarded as such.  

CCHM strives to make collections accessible to the public, however we are limited by both resources, staff availability, and the fragility of items in our collection. If there is a specific item you would like to see that is not on display, or you are looking to do research in our archives, please contact the Collections Manager for assistance.

Objects that cannot be accessed:

• Hazardous items that contain mercury, strychnine, etc.
• Culturally sensitive items, such as tribal artifacts (access by tribal members available upon request). 
• Weaponry such as swords, firearms, knives, hatchets, etc.
• Fragile or unstable items that require sensitive handling. Accommodations can be made based on the request, but is at the discretion of CCHM.

Supervision will be required while researching collection material, and will be contingent on staff availability. Individuals who partake in a collections access request will be asked to sign a form of liability. Any access requests can be denied by CCHM, for any reason, with said reason being given regarding that denial.

Crediting and Photographing CCHM’s Collections:

Taking personal photographs of collections items is allowed during an access visit, and is subject to our accreditation policy. CCHM will make every effort to acquaint patrons with copyright restrictions; however, adherence to copyright law is the responsibility of the patron.

CCHM’s collections shall be credited appropriately in all publications, exhibitions, and other presentations. No commercial or promotional use of CCHM’s collections and information or images resulting from their examination shall be allowed unless specific approval in writing is granted by CCHM.

To send a Collections Access Request, email collections@cchmuseum.org