Donate an Artifact
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum preserves materials that tell the story of aviation and space exploration, especially in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. If you have an artifact or collection you would like us to consider, please submit an offer using the form below.
Current donation intake
Due to ongoing building repairs and limited storage capacity, we are limiting the intake of new donations. Our Collections Committee continues to review offers, but acceptance depends on each item’s historical significance, connection to our collecting priorities, condition, and our ability to care for it.
How to offer an artifact
- Review the guidance below. We prioritize artifacts, uniforms, equipment, photographs, documents, personal papers, and other historical materials connected to aviation and aerospace in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. We generally do not accept books, magazines, periodicals, or models at this time.
- Complete the donation offer form. Tell us what you have, its history and regional connection, its condition, and where it is located. Upload photographs showing overall views, identifying marks, and any damage. If photographs are unavailable, explain why in the form.
- Wait for the Collections team to respond. We aim to respond to most offers within 3–4 weeks, though some reviews take longer. A submission does not guarantee acceptance or transfer ownership.
Please do not bring, mail, or ship materials to the Museum unless our Collections team has approved your offer and provided instructions. If an offer is accepted, we will coordinate the transfer and complete formal documentation, including a Deed of Gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of materials does the Museum collect?
We prioritize artifacts, uniforms, equipment, photographs, documents, personal papers, and other materials documenting aviation and space history, especially in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. We consider each offer’s historical significance, relevance, condition, and our ability to care for it.
Are there materials the Museum does not accept?
We generally do not accept books, magazines, periodicals, or models as donations at this time. Other materials may also fall outside our collecting priorities or current capacity. If you are unsure, you may still submit an offer; every offer is reviewed individually.
How do I offer an item or collection for donation?
Complete the Artifact Donation Offer form below with the materials’ history, approximate quantity and dates, regional connection, and condition. Photographs are important: include overall views, identifying marks or labels, and any visible damage. For larger collections, photographs of current storage and an inventory are helpful. Do not bring, mail, or ship materials unless our Collections team has approved the offer and given instructions.
Is the Museum currently accepting donations?
We are limiting the intake of new donations because of ongoing building repairs and limited storage capacity. We continue to review offers through the form, and acceptance depends on the materials and our ability to accommodate and care for them.
How long does the review process take?
We aim to respond to most offers within 3–4 weeks. Some reviews may take longer depending on the materials and the Collections Committee’s schedule. If you have a deadline, include it in your submission; we cannot guarantee expedited review.
Does submitting the form mean my donation has been accepted?
No. An offer lets the Collections Committee evaluate the materials. It does not guarantee acceptance or transfer ownership. We will contact you if we need more information or after a decision has been made.
Can I bring or ship my materials to the Museum?
Please wait for approval and instructions from our Collections team before delivering, mailing, or shipping anything. Unsolicited materials can be difficult to receive, document, and store safely.
Will donated items be displayed?
We cannot guarantee that accepted materials will be exhibited. They may be preserved for research, education, interpretation, or future exhibitions, and some may remain in storage.
What happens if my donation is accepted?
Our Collections team will contact you with next steps and arrange the transfer. Accepted donations require formal documentation, including a Deed of Gift, before ownership transfers to the Museum. Please wait for instructions before delivering or shipping materials.
Can I lend an item instead of donating it?
You may propose a temporary loan for a specific purpose or exhibition. Describe the proposed loan, its purpose, and relevant dates or conditions in the form. Loan proposals are reviewed separately and are not guaranteed acceptance.
What if I do not own the materials or know their complete history?
You must own the materials and be authorized to donate them, or be authorized to act for the owner or estate. Explain your relationship if you are submitting for someone else. Share what you know about previous owners, use, dates, places, and regional connections, and identify uncertain details rather than guessing. For official U.S. military personnel or veterans’ service records, the National Archives and Records Administration may be a better resource.
Are donations tax-deductible, and will the Museum provide an appraisal?
A donation may qualify for a tax deduction depending on your circumstances and applicable law. Wings cannot provide tax advice, guarantee deductibility, or appraise donated materials for donors. Consult a qualified tax professional and arrange any needed appraisal with an independent appraiser. If your offer is accepted, we will provide donation documentation, including a Deed of Gift; this does not establish monetary value.