Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of things does the museum collect? The Museum collects objects related to the history of Ontario and its immediate outlying areas. We collect objects from the California Native American period to the present day.

When I drop off my donation to the museum, isn't it enough? No. When you bring an object to the museum as a donation, the Curator will meet with you. If the Curator is not available, the donation may be left with the museum staff and the Curator will contact you later. Once the object is dropped off at the museum, a Temporary Custody Receipt form is completed by the museum staff and the donor. This form gives the museum written permission to hold the object(s) until the museum accepts or declines the donation. The object will be ready for evaluation by the Collection Committee.

Why do you collect some objects and not others? We do not accept every donation that is offered to us. The objects are measured against guidelines that help us identify objects important to Ontario's past.

Well then, how do we evaluate each object? The Museum's Board of Trustees has established a panel of local citizens who serve as members of the Collections Committee. The committee acts on behalf of the Board of review, evaluate and recommend policies for the care and management of the museum's artifact collections. The Collections Committee members meet regularly to discuss and evaluate current donations to the museum. Some questions they ask about each object includes:

Was the object used in Ontario?

Was it used by a local person or family?

Where did the object come from and how long has it been used in this area?

If the object is not directly related to this area, is it similar to objects that were used in this area?

Are there similar objects in the collection already?

What are the object's physical needs? Is it deteriorated beyond repair? How much space does it need for storage or for display?

Does the owner have free and legal title to the object? Does the owner propose restrictions to the gift?

If an object does not satisfy most of the guidelines, the committee returns the object to the donor.

If the object meets many of these requirements, then the committee accepts the object for the musuem's collection. Transfer of Title documents are sent to the donor for his or her signature. One copy of the document is returned to the museum; the other copy stays with the donor. No donation is final until the Collections Committee accepts the object(s) and a signed Title document is received by the Museum. Except in extraordinary situations, object donation to the Museum are unrestricted -- that is, we can not promise that your object will always be on exhibit, that objects will always be displayed together in a particular way, and so on. However, we do promise that your objects will receive the care and respect due them as part of the Museum's permanent collection.

Can the museum buy my object for their collection? No, the museum relies on individuals and organizations from the community for artifacts for the museum's collections.

Can the museum give me an appraisal for my object? No. The Museum of History and Art, Ontario Collection Policy (adopted April 1996) prohibits museum personnel from making appraisals. Donors seeking tax benefits must contact a licensed appraiser.

I don't want to donate my object but I'm willing to lend it for a really long time. Can I do that? The museum takes objects on loan but only for a specified amount of time, and usually for specific purposes only, such as a temporary exhibit.

Why can't my donation be on display all of the time? The museum's gallery space is limited. But limited space is only one reason. Many kinds of objects (textiles, clothing, photographs, for example) should receive a periodic "rest" from the stress and light levels of being on exhibit. Some objects are waiting until an appropriate interpretive exhibit opportunity is developed. Others require conservation or research. Many are simply awaiting their turn in the exhibitions, collections serve as important historical records and are always available for researchers.

Donating objects to the museum:The museum collects objects related to Ontario and its surrounding areas. If you are interested in making a donation to the museum, please ask for the Curator at (909) 395-2510.