Donations are accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10AM-4pm*
If you are traveling a great distance, please make an appointment for your donation by calling our office at 651-257-5310, or email info@chisagocountyhistory.org.
CCHS Criteria for Collection Donations:
- Historical Significance & Context: Donated artifacts must have a clear connection to Chisago County; its cities, towns, or villages.
- Relevance: The item must provide historical and educational value. All items accepted must have an historical, educational, or exhibition use.
- Condition & Preservation Needs: The object must be in fair condition. Collections staff must be able to store the item appropriately based on its materials, condition, and needs. If the object is in poor condition, it must have significant relevance or context and must be conserved as part of long-term storage plans. Collections staff must be able to reasonably care for the item in perpetuity.
- Duplicates: Items that duplicate material already held by the Chisago County Historical Society should not be collected. They should only be considered if the historic context, background, and associated documentation make the item more relevant or rarer than what is already in the collection.
- Format or Size: Reasonable scale will be considered when assessing an item. Objects with sizes that can negatively impact the ability to provide long-term care or storage must be carefully considered to ensure that their historical context and value outweigh the costs of care and housing.
If you feel that your artifact(s) meet the above criteria, please send us an email with photographs of the proposed item(s) at info@chisagocountyhistory.org or bring it into the Lindstrom Museum on a Tuesday or Friday from 10am-4pm.
Items typically not accepted at the Chisago County Historical Society without strong historical ties to Chisago Co.:
- Large furniture; sewing machines, beds, high chairs, etc.
- Farming implements; thrashers, grain cradles, etc.
- Doll clothing, cradles, blankets
- Old vinyl records and record players
- Tablecloths and household linens; sheets, blankets, etc.
- Bibles and Psalm books without family information
- Military Uniforms without ribbons, medals, or awards
- Wedding dresses from couples not married in Chisago Co.
Please do not bring in:
- Boxes of things that did not sell at a garage sale.
- Items that are in poor condition; such as items that are wet, moldy, smokey, or have evidence of critter activity.
CCHS reserves the right to deny any donations that do not meet above criteria. The CCHS Collections Committee makes the final decision on whether or not your donation is added to our collection. Further information can be found by calling our office at 651-257-5310, or sending an email to info@chisagocountyhistory.org.