Donate to the Archives & Collections

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Give a piece of the Past

The Jackson County Historical Society is the county’s attic of historical treasures you feel should see the light of day instead of the dust bunnies in your grandmother’s basement. We are constantly looking for new pieces of Jackson County history to add to our collections. A great way to support history is by donating some of yours. The Jackson County Historical Society Archives and Collections provide a temperature-controlled environment where items of the past can receive proper archival handling and conservation to remain a part of the future.

We take usual and unusual items from the past including paper documents--letters, photographs, maps, postcards, diaries, business ledgers, certificates, documents, and rare books related to Jackson County. We currently do not accept newspapers. 

Wishlist items we are actively looking to acquire:

  • American Royal memorabilia

  • Locally owned restaurant items (menus, uniforms, marketing materials, decor)

  • Items from Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Buckner, Greenwood, Unity Village, Sibley, Sugar Creek, Martin City, Atherton, Lake City, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, or Lone Jack.

  • Civil War artifacts related to Jackson County citizens, businesses, or battles.

  • Materials from the Great Depression related to Jackson County

  • Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx, Jewish, LGBTQIA+ materials.

  • Sports memorabilia related to the Chiefs, Royals, Kings, Monarchs, Comets or Wizards.

  • Fire/police/medical history related to Jackson County

  • School history including yearbooks, graduation programs, school activities

  • Locally owned business history

  • Fairs/Festival memorabilia including SantaCaliGon (Independence), Fall Fun Fest (Blue Springs), Cole Younger Days (Lee’s Summit), Lickskillet Days (Oak Grove)

  • Brewery history of Jackson County

  • German or Irish history of Jackson County

If you are not sure if your donation is suitable, it never hurts to ask. You may also review our Collections Policy to see if your donation fits into our collections. 

All donations are tax-deductible. 

Donations cannot be accepted without the proper paperwork and approval.

We require all donations to the archives to have a Deed of Gift form that has been signed by the donor.

Please do not drop off donations at the 1859 Jail Museum or the truman courthouse unless arrangements have been made with the Archives Director.

Appointments are required when bringing in a donation.

Materials that are mailed or dropped off at JCHS offices, without prior approval, are subject to disposal or return. Please include your deed of gift with your items.

The Archives director makes the final decision as to whether a donation will/will not be accepted.

Deed of Gift

JCHS does not currently purchase items.

At this time, JCHS does NOT accept:

artwork

automobiles

clothing

furniture

historical properties

newspapers

Also consider donating to support a project or need. We are constantly fundraising for storage supplies to preserve our county’s history. If interested, contact archivist@jchs.org. 

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