9/11 Memory and History - Donation FAQs

• Accessioning.  Once the Deed of Gift is signed, your materials will be physically transferred to the repository, where they will be accessioned as part of the repository’s collection. The materials will be stored in appropriate, climate-controlled facilities and in containers that protect them.
• Description.  Archives and museums have different ways of describing their holdings but ultimately have the same goal of making information about them available to the public.

• You do not need to sort or organize your materials in any particular way. The way you have them organized now, just as they are, is fine and may help the archivist or curator to better understand your collection.

There are some things the repository will require in order to carry out its responsibilities, but most repositories will want to work with you to meet your needs, too.  If they cannot, you may want to donate to another repository.

• Mission and commitment: Collecting family history materials should be consistent with the organization’s mission, and the organization should be committed to collecting these materials and to promoting their existence and use. 

• Your materials will be carefully stored and preserved for posterity. You can be confident that they will be cared for professionally under better conditions of light exposure, temperature, and humidity than most people can provide in their homes.
• You, as the donor, will have continued access to the materials.
• Your materials will be shared with others through exhibits, public programs, educational materials, and access to researchers.
• Your materials will contribute to the public’s experience and understanding of the history of your community and nation.

• A repository is an organization that collects and preserves historically valuable materials and makes them accessible to the public. 
• Historically valuable materials come in many formats:
  • three-dimensional objects, including items such as quilts or medals
  • papers, photographs, and maps
  • film, video and audio recordings
  • electronic files, such as documents, emails, and digital photos
• There are several kinds of repositories:

People often assume that their mementos, the records of their personal lives and the lives of their families, have no historical value. Sometimes that’s true, but many times it isn’t. So if there are items you are ready to discard, and you would be willing to donate them so they could be part of your community’s and your nation’s history, consider contacting a historical repository. Let an archives or museum professional advise you whether they think some or all of your materials would be historically valuable.