What goes into accepting an item to the CCHS archives?

Every item accepted into the Cook County Historical Society archives contributes to our core mission: the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of Cook County and to relate it to the history of the State of Minnesota.

Because we have a responsibility to care for everything in our collection for generations to come, our staff researches and evaluates every artifact before making a decision about whether or not it can be accepted. Lots of resources go into this process, and while we truly appreciate every offer, please understand that we cannot accept everything.

When evaluating potential items, our Museum and Collections Manager Annie shares a few of the things we look at:

-The Story Behind It: “An object without a story is just an object,” she says. Knowing the place of origin or history of the ownership, custody, and location of an object or item is incredibly important to us! We look for local relevance, historical significance, and any connected names, dates, or documentation like photos or receipts that help tell a compelling story.

-Condition & Storage: We consider if the item is in stable, exhibition-quality condition, whether it is hazardous, and if we have the space and resources to properly clean, store, and display it.

-Existing Collections: We check if we already have the item, how many are in our collection, and whether the offered piece is in better condition than what we currently hold.

We know how much care goes into choosing to pass along a piece of history, and we’re so grateful to everyone who thinks of the Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) when looking for a home for their treasures! To help us protect potential new additions and make the donation process smooth for everyone, Annie shares our process for evaluating items:

1. Connect with us first: Please do not bring donations to the museum without first talking with a staff member at CCHS (this includes dropping items off at our door overnight or during closed hours).

2. Stop by or reach out: You are always welcome to stop by during our open hours to chat with our staff. If you can’t make it in while we’re open, feel free to give us a call (218-387-2883) or send an email (history@boreal.org) so we can discuss your item and set up a convenient time to meet.

3. Send photos and details: When possible, email photographs of the item along with your contact information and any history you know about it to history@boreal.org.

We are grateful to everyone who thinks of CCHS when it comes to preserving and passing along a treasured item. Thank you in advance for helping us preserve and share local history!