Please Note: While Ames History Museum regularly collects artifacts and archival materials associated with Ames history, we are currently not accepting donations to our collection at this time. We have put a temporary pause on all new artifact and archival acquisitions in order to accommodate our on-going museum expansion and construction project. Learn more about the exciting expansion project here.
Scope of Collections
Have something to donate? To know whether your items may be of interest to AHM, please carefully read the information below.
Ames History Museum actively collects artifacts and archival materials associated with the people, places, buildings, events, organizations, and businesses that help shape the history of the Ames community. Items from the prehistoric era to present day will be considered. In order to avoid duplication of collecting efforts by other historical organizations within Story County, Ames History Museum defines its area of responsibility as the city of Ames and its immediate vicinity.
AHM collects a wide range of objects and paper materials including but not limited to household items, textiles, documents, photographs, ledgers, clothing, art, ceramics, glassware, and letters. AHM also collects books and reference volumes relating to Ames history for our resource library. Objects and archival materials are considered for the collection based on relevancy, size, condition, interest, connection to mission, documentation available for the item(s), and whether the item is a duplicate of something already in the collection.
How to Donate Archival Materials or Artifacts to AHM
The contact form for archival and artifact donations is currently suspended.
While Ames History Museum regularly collects artifacts and archival materials associated with Ames history, we are currently not accepting donations to our collection at this time. We have put a temporary pause on all new artifact and archival acquisitions in order to accommodate our on-going museum expansion and construction project. If you have an object or archival materials you are interested in donating to AHM, we kindly ask that you wait until the completion of the expansion project in Summer 2024.