Collections
Artifacts
The majority of artifacts in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame’s collection were donated by the public. The curator, executive director, registrar/collections manager, and an acquisitions committee comprised of board members supervise the acquisition of artifacts. The Museum collects objects and materials that document women who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the American West and the Pioneer spirit. The Museum is dedicated to collecting objects relating to Hall of Fame honorees as well as objects and/or collections relating to women of the American West that may not be well represented elsewhere. The Museum also collects objects that illustrate the cowgirl’s enduring legacy throughout popular culture.
There are many things the museum considers before accepting an artifact into the collection.
These include:
- Does the object relate to a Hall of Fame honoree or nominee?
- What is the object’s exhibit potential?
- Is the object in good condition?
- What is the object’s historical significance?
- Does the object have a clear and documented history of ownership?
- Would the object be useful for research, reference, publication, or educational programming?
- What impact would the object have on available storage space?
- Does acceptance of the object come with burdensome restrictions?
If you have an artifact that you think would be of interest to the Museum, please contact the curator.
Some FAQs regarding artifact donations
Can the Museum appraise objects?
No staff member of the Museum shall offer appraisals of the monetary value of materials or objects to donors. Donors desiring an income tax deduction must obtain an independent appraisal following IRS guidelines. Staff members may assist a donor in locating a qualified appraiser from a list of appraisers. Staff members will not appraise or otherwise place a monetary value on objects casually brought to the Museum.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. You can use the signed deed of gift as an acknowledgment of your donation to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. (The museum does not provide appraisals.) The IRS requires that you include Form 8283—available from your accountant or the IRS—with your tax return.
Why do I need to make an appointment to donate an artifact?
The Museum has artifact acquisition procedures and a collecting policy that it closely adheres to. An acquisitions committee meets regularly to review all possible acquisitions.
If you are interested in donating an artifact to the museum, please call Tricia Taylor Dixon, Curator at 817-336-4475.
