The Lakeshore Museum Center considers donations that support the mission of the organization. This includes objects that represent the history and natural environment of Muskegon County. The Museum collects:
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photographs
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archival material
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three-dimensional objects
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natural history specimens
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archaeological artifacts
To ensure that your objects are properly tracked and cared for, please do not mail or drop off objects at any of the Lakeshore Museum Center sites. The Museum does not accept unsolicited objects through the mail.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Acquisition Process
The acquisition process can be lengthy. We appreciate your patience as we review your donation. During this time, please do not mail or drop off an object to any of the Museum sites.
To donate an object, please follow these steps:
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Complete and submit the Donation Proposal form with photographs of the objects.
The Donation Proposal form provides prompts to help the Museum gather more information about the object and its significance to Muskegon County.
You may access a copy of the Donation Proposal from online through Google Forms, print a PDF copy of the form, or pick up a paper copy at the Muskegon Museum of History & Science:
430 W Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI.
The form provides instructions on how to send photographs of the donation to the Museum.
If you cannot use this form, please contact the Collections Manager & Registrar: [email protected].
Please do not bring objects to the Museum. They will not be accepted.
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Museum staff will contact you.
The Collections Manager & Registrar will follow up with you once we receive the Donation Proposal. We respond to all inquiries promptly. However, the number of inquiries can fluctuate throughout the year. It can take 2 weeks for staff to respond.
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The donation is reviewed.
Collections staff will examine and research the object to confirm if it fits the Museum’s mission. The item is presented to the Acquisitions Committee. This committee meets bi-monthly and the donation will be presented at the next monthly Board of Trustees meeting. It is common for this process to take 2 weeks.
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A final decision is made.
If the object is accepted, the Collections Manager & Registrar will contact you to complete a Deed of Gift. This form legally and irrevocably transfers ownership of the object to the Lakeshore Museum Center. It is needed to complete the donation.
If the object is not accepted, we may suggest alternatives for you to pursue. However, the Museum is unable to make those arrangements on your behalf.
If you have any questions about the donation process, contact the Collections Manager & Registrar: [email protected].
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Lakeshore Museum Center.
