Frequently Asked Questions for Donations

What type of items is the UWF Historic Trust looking for?

We are particularly interested in the following areas:

  • Ethnic and cultural-specific items from the diverse populations of Pensacola and
  • Northwest Florida
  • Items related to Northwest Florida's industries and businesses, including tourism
  • Local photographs with sites and/or people identified
  • Materials associated with films or television shows made in the area
  • Architectural drawings or images or actual pieces from area buildings and homes
  • Materials associated with the Civil Rights Era in Pensacola and Northwest Florida
  • Political ephemera from Pensacola and Northwest Florida
  • Items related to Pensacola sports
  • Materials associated with community life including education, religion, clubs, neighborhoods,
  • politics, and social changes
  • Clothing and textiles locally made or worn

If the items you wish to donate are not suitable for the museum or similar items are already in the museum's collections, your offer may be declined. Staff will try to help you find a more appropriate institution where you can donate your materials if we are unable to accept them.

What type of items is the UWF Historic Trust not accepting?

  • Furniture (unless there is a direct link to Pensacola)
  • Weapons
  • Generic tools and small equipment
  • Dollhouses
  • Pianos/Organs
  • Glass Insulators
  • Printing Equipment
  • Safes
  • WWII Uniforms
  • Typewriters
  • Bottles
  • Cameras

Does the museum purchase objects?

The museum rarely has funds to purchase items for the collections and mostly rely on donated materials.

My item is not very old or unique. Would the museum still be interested?

It's not the age that is important, it's the significance. Not all items need to be associated with well­ known people or events. Common items can also help the museum tell the story of Pensacola and Northwest Florida. Items of recent vintage (20th and 21st century) may be of value in the future to interpret the past.

Will the museum take my object on loan if I do not want to donate it?

The museum does not accept loans for reasons other than immediate exhibit purposes.

Will the museum exhibit my donation?

The museum cannot guarantee that any object will go on exhibit. Like most museums, only a small fraction of our collections is on display at any given time.

Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?

The fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. We recommend that you consult your accountant, attorney, or the Internal Revenue Service if you have any questions. If you wish to have your items appraised, please do so before giving it to the museum. For legal and ethical reasons, the museum cannot appraise or authenticate objects. To find an appraiser near you, check your local phonebook or search online.

Can you tell me more about my object, including how much it is worth or how to repair it?

The University of West Florida Historic Trust does not appraise art, antiques or artifacts. Please contact the following institutions to get in contact with an appraiser or conservator:

The following organization can refer people to conservators of art and historical artifacts:

I will make a donation only if I can set certain conditions for my object. Are you still interested? 

Our policy is to not accept gifts that come with strings attached. Conditions including, but not limited to, donor recognition and display requirements are not in line with modern museum best practices.

If I donate artifacts or documents to the museum, will they be returned to me at my request? 

The museum cannot return accessioned materials to the donor or family once a Deed of Gift has been signed.

What is the procedure for donating artifacts or documents?

  • If you have an item you wish to be considered for donation, please contact Collections Manager Lori McDuffie, at lmcduffie@uwf.edu or call 850-595-5840. We do not accept items dropped off at any of our museums.
  • You will be asked to sign a Temporary Custody receipt transferring physical custody of the items to the UWF Historic Trust.
  • The Board of Directors of the UWT Historic Trust, which meets bi-monthly, vote to accept items into the collection.
  • If your items are accepted, you will be contacted to sign the formal Deed of Gift. If your items are not accepted, they will returned to you or disposed of, depending on what you indicated on the Temporary Custody receipt.

For further questions, please contact:

Lori McDuffie

Collections Manager

lmcduffie@uwf.edu

850-595-5840