Monetary donations
Museum collection donationsThe museum collection at Johnstown Flood National Memorial: The museum collection contains a variety of objects directly related to the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889. The collection is made up entirely of cultural objects, the largest section being archeological. Our collection is comprised photographs, newspaper articles, books and many personal items found in the aftermath of the flood. Items of note include: Reverend David J. Beale’s original Morgue Book that contained descriptions of flood victims, several objects that belonged to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, period photographs taken in the 1880s by club member Louis Semple Clarke and much more. Scope of Collection: The park’s Scope of Collection Statement ensures that objects donated to the park are relevant to the story. The Scope of Collection Statement is based on park planning documents and the enabling legislation for Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Donations to the collection “contribute directly to the understanding and interpretation of the park’s purpose, themes and resources, as well as those objects that the Service is legally mandated to preserve.” I have an item I would like to donate to the collection. What are my next steps? Thank you for your interest in donating an item to the museum collection at Johnstown Flood National Memorial. We unable to accept donations at the Visitor Center; only the curator can accept items to the collection. Please contact the Curator, Betsy Keene at 814-886-6135 or by email. Please provide as much information as possible about your object. If your item is of potential interest, the curator will present it to the Collections Advisory Committee for consideration. The curator will inform you of their decision. Additionally, donations to the National Park Service are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors are responsible for establishing the value of the gift, including getting a professional appraisal as needed and meeting Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements and forms. Our curatorial staff cannot provide monetary appraisals. What will happen to my item once it is part of your museum collection? Artifacts and archives in our museum collection are used in many different ways. Our collection is used by researchers interested in a variety of topics as well as by park staff as they develop programs, create exhibits, and share objects on social media.The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving our collections for this and future generations. Our Resource Management team is dedicated to providing the highest possible level of care to the artifacts in our collection. We understand that it can be difficult to part with treasured objects and family ties and donors, family, and friends are welcome to schedule a time with our curatorial staff to view donated objects in our collection. I donated an item to the park. Why isn’t it on display? While we would love to display all items in our collection, we simply don’t have the space in the Visitor Center for our more than 102,000 objects at Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Objects in the museum collection are stored safely and securely in a temperature-controlled environment. Objects not on display can still be used for education, interpretation, interpretive media, publications, and research. Wait! I have more questions! Great! Feel free to contact the curator, Betsy Keene, by email or phone for more information. |
Last updated: March 2, 2023