Collections
Want to donate to our ever growing collection? Contact us today to learn more about our collections and archives process and see if your item is worth donating!
Reach out to Museum Collections Manager, Jen Neuhaus at
440 - 245 - 2563 Ext. 3 for more information.
How to Make a Donation
The Lorain Historical Society is honored to preserve the history of Lorain and its people. When considering new donations to our collection, we follow a thoughtful process to ensure each item helps us tell the story of our community for generations to come.
Before accepting a document or object, we ask the following:
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Does it connect to Lorain’s story?
We prioritize items that reflect the people, places, events, cultures, and industries that shaped Lorain. -
Do we know where it came from?
We look for items with a clear history—who owned it, how it was used, and its connection to Lorain. -
Is it in good condition?
We try to accept items that are stable or in a condition we can safely preserve. Some fragile items may be declined if we can’t care for them properly. -
Is it unique?
We generally avoid accepting duplicates of items already in our collection unless the new item offers something special—like a personal story or better condition. -
Can it legally be donated?
We require donors to legally own the item and be authorized to donate it. -
Are there any restrictions?
We prefer items that can be used for exhibits, research, or education without restrictions. -
Can we care for it?
We must ensure we have the space, staff, and resources to preserve each item according to museum standards. -
Is it authentic?
We seek genuine historical items, though in some cases, well-made reproductions may be accepted for educational use.
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Thank you for helping us preserve Lorain’s history. If you’re thinking about donating an item, we’d love to talk!
Please contact Museum Collections Manager, Jen Neuhaus at jneuhaus@lorainhistory.org.
Our Buildings are our Largest Artifacts
For over 40 years we have been upholding our mission to collect and preserve the history of the city of Lorain through 3-dimensional artifacts, archival documents, photographs, and more!
Our collections our housed in both our Carnegie Center Museum and Moore House Collections Facility.