Donating Material

What to Donate


The Archive collects archival material of historical value that documents Minnesotans' involvement in military-related activity. The archivist on the staff will work closely with donors to identify those materials of research interest which should be preserved. Although not all papers and records fall within the collecting scope of the department, the types of materials listed below are often valuable. These lists are suggestive but not definitive.

Archives

Personal Papers 
The personal papers of veterans and their families are essential documents in telling the story of our past. This means not just the papers of well-known or prominent generals and officers, but also the personal papers and collections of infantrymen, airmen, or sailors of all ranks. Types of documents include letters, diaries, albums/scrapbooks, memoirs/reminiscences, photographs, professional files, genealogical information, films, videotapes, and audiotapes.

Organizational Records 
We accept records from all service branches and veteran organizations. Articles of incorporation/constitution/bylaws, correspondence, planning documents, architectural records, legal documents, diaries, minutes of meetings, reports, memoranda, newsletters and other publications, directories, financial documents, press releases, membership records, and research and subject files. 

Special Collections

Rare and unique published materials by the United States military and military units stationed in Minnesota which can include, but are not limited to: Adjutant General reports, National Guard Bureau reports, divisional or regimental newsletters or publications, training manuals, or combat theater guides.  It also includes oral histories, conducted by a Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum staff member or trained volunteer, of personal stories of a Minnesota-connected veteran.

Rearranging Materials

Because the research value of papers and records may be diminished if items are removed or rearranged, donors are encouraged to contact the Archivist before selecting materials for donation.

Collecting Exclusions


Evaluation

In evaluating potential donations, the Archives looks for materials that meet accepted archival appraisal criteria such as completeness, readability, credibility, uniqueness, condition, and format to ensure that researchers have access to information that is both useful and usable. It is not possible for the Archives to accept all materials that are offered.

Donating Copies or Reproductions

Archives researchers prefer to use originals both for their readability and so that they can be assured of the integrity of the materials being studied.  In addition, it is better to preserve the original, since it is usually of the best quality and has not been degraded through any copying or digitization process. The Archives would be happy to provide you free of charge copies of any small collection that you donate, or of selected materials from any large collection that you donate.

The Legal Agreement Necessary for Donation


Donors are asked to sign a donation gift form, also known as a deed of gift, the legal document that governs a donation of materials to the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. A deed of gift is required for every donation no matter what the size, or who the collection came from. Archives staff can supply sample deeds and will work with donors to define the terms of the gift. The deed addresses physical ownership, ownership of intellectual property rights, and by default provides no restrictions to a collection. Under extremely special circumstances will the museum grant restrictions to a donated collection and only with a specified sunset date upon which they will end. Accordingly, a donor cannot choose for restrictions to end upon your death because that is not a specified and knowable date.

Restrictions

The three most common restrictions are:

  1. Retention of copyright
  2. Restricting access to the collection
  3. Specifying that all unwanted material be returned to the donor

Most often the donor will own little or no copyright in the collection (e.g.. when the collection consists of works written or created by other people). In these cases, donors only donate the copyright that they own. Researchers will still need to obtain permission from other copyright holders to publish material.

Please be aware that we are not asking for copyright transfer in order to profit from your collection. Rather we do this to facilitate our researchers' work far into the future when the donor and the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum may have lost touch and the donor cannot be located again.

Note: Also that if you are donating papers as a current or former officer of an organization, the papers may be subject to restrictions placed by the organization. You should discuss this matter with the organization.

Monetary Appraisals for Tax Deductions


In certain circumstances, it may be possible for a donor to take a tax deduction for the donation of a manuscript collection to he Archives. Donors are encouraged to speak with their tax accountants or attorneys about this possibility. By federal law, Archive staff cannot give tax advice or appraise the monetary value of a collection. They are able to provide donors with a list of manuscript appraisers, but it is the donor's responsibility to arrange for and bear the cost of any appraisal. The relevant IRS publications are:

  • Publication 651, Determining the Value of Donated Property
  • Publication 526, Charitable Contributions
  • Instructions for an Form 8283, non-cash Charitable Contributions

 These publications and forms are available at www.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM

The Transfer of Materials to the Archive


Before packing material, donors should call the Museum or the archivist to provide a brief description of the material. The archivist may then give the donor further advice on which files to send. Before shipping material, please call the archivist. This will allow us to prepare a space for the material and ensure the material is handled appropriately once it arrives at our location.

 

TO: (Archivist's Name)
Minnesota Military Museum
15000 Hwy. 115, Camp Ripley
Little Falls MN 56345

Description and Preservation of Collections


Collections are arranged and described by a professional archivist. He prepares descriptive guides and inventories which are used by researchers to select materials to study; these guides, known as finding aids, are available online: Finding Aids. Collections are kept in environmentally-controlled, secure, closed vault areas, and do not circulate outside of Manuscripts and Archives. Materials are used in a supervised reading room. When the department is closed, the facility is protected by an electronic security system and by the security staffs of the Camp Ripley military base. Providing physical and intellectual control of valuable collections is expensive. Donors who are able to do so are encouraged to provide financial support for the arrangement, description, and preservation of their papers or records.


 

Donation Contact Form


 

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