Artifact FAQs

Q1: What do you consider to be an artifact?
Q2: My parent was a survivor and I’ve found some items that I think may qualify, but they never told me what these items are. Are you still interested?
Q3 : What are you looking for about the Skokie march?
Q4: I’m not sure my item qualifies, what should I do?
Q5: Does an artifact have to be beautiful, clean or in good shape?
Q6: Will my item be on display after I donate it?
Q7: Will the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center appraise my donation for its monetary value?
Q8: Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?
Q9: Can I mail or drop off a donation?
Q10: If I donate artifacts or documents to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, will they be returned to me at my request?

Q1: What do you consider to be an artifact?

A: An artifact is almost anything that will help us share your story with future generations. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Original documents, correspondence, and other papers
• Photos, albums, and scrapbooks
• Diaries
• Travel documents such as passports, Wallenberg-issued Schutz-passes, emigration or immigration papers
• Period art, music or poetry from your survival experience
• Clothing including concentration camp remnants, ghetto Jewish stars, etc.
• Religious paraphernalia including prayer books, special Talmuds, and Judaica
• Suitcases or other luggage carried during survival experience

Q2: My parent was a survivor and I’ve found some items that I think may qualify, but they never told me what these items are. Are you still interested?

A: Absolutely. Because of the trauma caused by the survival experience, many survivors did not tell their stories, even to their children. But your parents may still have a chance to share their story and preserve their place in history. Please call us at 847-491-0905 and let us help you determine whether the item is appropriate.

Q3: What are you looking for about the Skokie march?

A: After the Holocaust, many survivors simply wanted to put the past behind them and did not speak of their ordeal. The only indication many of their children had was the fading number on their parents’ forearm. All that changed in 1977 when a new generation of Nazis came to Skokie to intimidate those who had survived. The shock of what happened in Skokie shook survivors throughout the world. In our area, the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois was founded in direct response to the attempted march because survivors realized that they had to speak out and to educate.

Consequently, this is a very important part of our history and we are interested in anything that may have been written during that period. We recently received a donation of original protest signs drawn up in response to the Marquette Park march. We are looking for old newspapers, letters, photos, personal letters, diaries and other relevant items.

Q4: I’m not sure my item qualifies, what should I do?

A: Please call 847-491-0905 or email artifacts@ilhmec.org and talk to one of our experts who can evaluate whether it is appropriate for donation.

Q5: Does an artifact have to be beautiful, clean or in good shape?

A: No. In fact we ask that you keep any items you think may fit in our collection as they are. Please call 847-491-0905 or email artifacts@ilhmec.org if you have any questions.

Q6: Will my item be on display after I donate it?

A: We cannot guarantee that any objects donated to its collection will be exhibited unless expressly collected for that purpose. In some cases, an artifact will become part of our permanent exhibition. Others may be included in a temporary exhibition.

We allocate a significant portion of our annual budget to maintaining optimal conditions in our storage areas and galleries to insure the long-term preservation of all collection materials. In certain instances, your artifact will not be displayed, but it will be archived and preserved, and may be studied by scholars for years to come.

Objects from the collection are also occasionally loaned to other institutions for temporary exhibitions.

Q7: Will the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center appraise my donation for its monetary value?

A: We can not provide appraisals of the monetary value of materials proposed for donation or for any other reason because the Internal Revenue Service regards museums and libraries as interested parties. Monetary appraisals prepared for donors by such institutions are subject to question or disqualification.

However, professional appraisers do perform this service for a fee. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America for a referral.

Q8: Can I take a tax deduction for my donation?

A: The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is recognized as a qualified charitable organization, thus the fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. To take advantage of your deduction, you must file tax for 1040 and, depending on the value of your donation, tax form 8283.

To ensure that you receive the maximum tax benefit, it is recommended that you consult with your own accountant, attorney, and/or the Internal Revenue Service. You may also consult Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.

Q9: Can I mail or drop off a donation?

A: We cannot accept unsolicited donations through the mail or in person without prior written communication. If you have artifacts or documents that you believe would make valuable additions to our collection, please call 847-491-0905 or email artifacts@ilhmec.org.

Q10: If I donate artifacts or documents to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, will they be returned to me at my request?

A: We cannot return accessioned collection materials to the donor. Once the Museum accepts your donation for the collection, you will be asked to sign a Deed of Gift, which legally transfers ownership of the materials to the Museum.