Becoming a Donor

David Cone presents his jersey and a ball from his perfect game to Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark and Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey

Gifts of objects associated with baseball's history are essential to the growth and educational potential of the Baseball Hall of Fame and are actively sought by the Museum. Past donations have provided our Museum with the outstanding collections that continue to appeal to all generations from varied backgrounds throughout the world. There are, however, many great stories from the past and present which need acknowledgment in our exhibition program. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum acquires appropriate objects for its collections solely through gifts from the general public and amateur and professional baseball organizations. We invite you to contribute to the Museum's holdings and become an active participant in the Hall of Fame's future.

All objects submitted for acquisition are reviewed by members of the Museum's Accessions Committee, which is charged with accepting only those items of historic significance which support the Museum's education and exhibit programs. Only after this group gives its approval do submitted objects become registered artifacts.

If you own an object that is part of our Pastime's history and you would be interested in sharing it with fans everywhere, not only at the present time, but for generations to come, then we would like to hear from you. To ensure that the Accessions Committee has all the information it needs to properly evaluate your proposed donation, please be sure to submit the following information:

• A photograph of the object
• A brief description of the piece, including dimensions
• All available information on the age and origin of the object
• Potential donor's name, address and phone number
• Any other information about the history of the object

We welcome your proposals and hope you will join with us in preserving the heritage and future of our National Pastime. Proposals may be addressed to:

Registrar
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
P.O. Box 590
Cooperstown, NY  13326

Although the Museum and its staff are prohibited from providing appraisals of any object donations to the Museum may be tax deductible to the extent of the full fair market value of the objects donated. In addition, donors of three-dimensional artifacts will receive a lifetime pass to the Museum and a donor's certificate. Library donors will receive a certificate of donation.

Although we are not permitted to recommend specific individuals for the authentication, appraisal, or sale of memorabilia, listed below are a few organizations that may be helpful in searching for such information:

National Association of Professional Appraisers 
65 E. India Row 
Suite 10F 
Boston, MA 02110 
617.720.0332 Ph. 
617.720.0274 Fax 
www.professionalappraisers.org

International Society of Appraisers 
1131 S.W. 7th St. 
Suite 105 
Renton, WA 98055 
206.241.0359 Ph. 
206.241.0436 
www.isa-appraisers.org

Museum Collections
Online Exhibits | Exhibits Home Page | Calendar of Events

Hall of Fame Home Page

---

© National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc.
25 Main Street • Cooperstown, New York • 13326 • 1-888-HALL-OF-FAME