Artifact Collection Process

Every artifact tells a story. At the Bowman Museum, personal and family items help preserve and share the history of Crook County in ways that books alone cannot. Photographs, letters, clothing, and everyday objects bring the past to life, offering future generations a vivid picture of the people and communities that shaped Central Oregon.

Our collection is a resource for education, research, and preservation—made possible through the generosity of community members like you. Because our space and resources are limited, we carefully review each potential donation to be sure it supports our mission. In general, we look for items with a clear connection to Crook County or those that help interpret the region’s history.

To care for our collection responsibly, we are unable to accept donations with conditions or restrictions on how items are used or displayed. Once accepted, all donations become the legal property of the museum. While every contribution is valued, not all items can be exhibited at all times. If a donor later wishes to request the return of an item, we will review the request on a case-by-case basis. However, return is not guaranteed and will depend on museum policy and the item’s current status in the collection.

Items We Are Especially Interested In:

  • Photographs documenting life in Crook County and the history of the region
  • Printed or handwritten materials (letters, documents, journals, maps, business signs, etc.)
  • Textiles originally belonging to, used by, or worn by Crook County residents
  • Ephemera—items originally intended for short-term use—that represent Crook County people or businesses

Items We Cannot Accept

  • Large items or furniture: Due to limited space, we cannot accept large objects such as sewing machines, pianos, dollhouses, or chainsaws.
  • Moldy items: Materials with mold pose a risk to our collection and cannot be accepted.
  • Human remains: These donations are generally not accepted due to strict legal and ethical regulations (e.g., NAGPRA).
  • Illegally collected artifacts: Items removed from public lands or archaeological sites without permits (per ARPA) cannot be accepted.
  • Culturally sensitive materials: Sacred or funerary objects, particularly those subject to repatriation laws, are not accepted.
  • Reproductions or copies: Photocopies or replicas of original materials, such as scanned newspapers or printouts, cannot be accepted.

We welcome your interest in donating to the Bowman Museum. Because our space and resources are limited, we cannot accept unsolicited donations. Instead, please use this form to tell us about your item(s). All offers are reviewed by our Collections Committee. If your item is accepted, a staff member will contact you to discuss next steps.

Donor Information

Item Details

Current Condition
Known Issues (mold, damage, etc..)? *
Are you the legal owner of the item(s)? *
Supporting materials (photos, documents, stories)?

Review & Acknowledgment

- This form is for review purposes only and does not guarantee acceptance.
- If accepted, the donation becomes the legal property of the Bowman Museum, without conditions.
- Items accepted into the collection may not be permanently displayed.
- A staff member will contact me after review by the Collections Committee.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.