Preserve and Share
Olmsted County’s History!
Your gift will allow us to present our common history in new, exciting, and meaningful ways to audiences of all ages, and to preserve and share the legacy of some of Rochester and Olmsted County’s most historically significant people, places and things through exhibitions, tours, events, and our library and archives. Your charitable gift is an investment in your community by helping preserve our history and ensuring the stories of our history are told for generations to come.
Thank you for supporting your History Center of Olmsted County!
Donate to the Collections
Thank you for thinking of the History Center of Olmsted County for your donation!
The History Center strives to collect artifacts that illuminate the ever-evolving stories of Olmsted County’s past and present. If you have something you think might be a good fit for our collections, please contact us! While we cannot take everything, we are always interested in seeing what you have, especially if it is relevant to the history of Olmsted County.
How to Donate an Artifact
- Contact the History Center to schedule a visit to review your artifact(s) or describe them if a visit is not possible. Please note: Appointments are preferred for all donations. Dropping off artifacts at the History Center after hours is discouraged and may result in items being discarded.
- For 3-D artifacts, contact our Collections Manager, Dan Nowakowski - collections@olmstedhistory.com or call 507-282-9447 ext 120
- For archival artifacts, contact our Archivist, Krista Lewis - archivist@olmstedhistory.com or call 507-282-9447 ext 113
- If a staff member recommends accepting your artifact donation, fill out a Deed of Gift form that legally transfers ownership of the artifact(s) to the History Center.
- Upon final approval from our Collections Committee and Board of Directors, receive a thank you letter and a copy of the Deed of Gift form for your records.
- Your donation is accessioned and cataloged, which means the artifacts are cared for to the highest museum and archival standards we can provide, enabling them to be shared and experienced for generations to come. Please note: The History Center cannot promise when, where, or how your artifact(s) may be exhibited in the future.
Help Build Our Collection
We’re currently looking for items from the following categories to strengthen our collection. If you’d like to donate, please contact us at collections@olmstedhistory.com.
- Women’s suffrage
- Greater Olmsted County (cities and townships outside Rochester)
- Minority populations and immigrants
Donate Items of Need
We are always in need of basic office and cleaning supplies to keep our not-for-profit organization running smoothly and effectively. If you’d like to donate supplies, please contact us at services@olmstedhistory.com.
