Artifact Donation Guidelines

The Dean V. Kruse Foundation accepts artifact donations that will expand and broaden the scope of its collection in order to more fully present the history of transportation in its galleries and to assist staff and scholars with historical research.

The curatorial staff at the Kruse Automotive & Carriage Museum is dedicated to the preservation and care of its artifacts. Each item donated will be properly cataloged and photographed in order to establish the origins of each donation. Any questions regarding these guidelines and standards should be directed to the museum’s Senior Curator.

The Kruse Automotive & Carriage Museum realizes that relinquishing family items is a difficult decision, and that each family must examine what is in the best interest for the preservation of their family history. We are deeply grateful to those individuals who contribute to the improvement of the museum’s research and exhibition capabilities through the donation of artifacts.

Decision on the acceptance of artifacts is the responsibility of the museum’s Senior Curator and our Collections Committee. Criteria includes: relevance to the museum’s storyline and mission, condition of the artifact, the artifact’s importance to research, and is the artifact a unique addition to the collection. The museum does not take into consideration the monetary value of the artifact in its decision making process.

Artifact donations to the Dean V. Kruse Foundation may be tax deductible from taxable income in accordance with Federal Income Tax Law.  Please consult your accountant in regards to these matters. It is against the law for any museum employee to appraise historical artifacts. Artifact donations are not complete until a Deed of Gift has been signed by the donor.

For additional information contact Josh Conrad at 260-927-9144 or by email at josh@dvkfoundation.org.