DONATE AN OBJECT
Share your baseball history with fans everywhere, now and for generations to come.
Since the days that Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and others contributed equipment to open the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1939, we have welcomed donations from fans and ballplayers alike. Only through your generosity can we preserve the history of our National Pastime, honor the excellence of those who participate in the game, and connect the generations of baseball fans who visit us in Cooperstown and online. If you own an object, document, or photograph related to baseball’s history, the Hall of Fame wants to hear from you. Share your baseball history with fans everywhere, now and for generations to come.
THE DONATION PROCESS
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum does not purchase artifacts, but relies on the generosity of all who love our National Pastime and want to share its history with others. Our policy of only accepting donations began when such players as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb gave items from their own collections to help start this museum. Since then, generations of players and fans have donated game-used artifacts, fine and decorative arts, library materials, and countless other items to help us preserve and tell baseball’s history. Our accessions committees review all objects to determine if they meet our educational, exhibition, and research missions.
TO OFFER AN ITEM:
Please gather the following information:
• Photographs of the object
• A brief description of the object, including its dimensions
• Information about the history, age, and origin of the object
• Your story of how you obtained the object
• Your name, address, phone number, and email address
SEND TO:
Registrar, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or registrar@baseballhall.org.
While we cannot accept every submission, it is only through your offers that we can better tell the many stories of baseball history.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an independent, 501c(3) educational institution, so the fair market value of all donations is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
VALUES AND APPRAISALS
Due to Internal Revenue Service regulations, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum may not authenticate, appraise, or otherwise place values on proposed donations, nor can we recommend specific individuals for such services.
Please refer to the IRS website (irs.gov) for information on noncash charitable contributions and determining the value of donated property.
In addition, the following two organizations may help with additional information:
International Society of Appraisers - isa-appraisers.org
American Society of Appraisers - appraisers.org
Donations come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps you have a baseball treasure that may one day end up on exhibit in the Museum. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
Featured Story
Aaron’s legacy preserved through his gift to the Hall
ARCHIVES AND COLLECTIONS
Each item – the bats, baseballs, gloves, photos, books, etc. – tells an important story about the game’s history.
A collage of artifacts connected to the Museum's opening in 1939. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
Our Museum Object Collection Management Policy is available here.
CONTACT US
Registrar, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or registrar@baseballhall.org.
While we cannot accept every submission, it is only through your offers that we can better tell the many stories of baseball history.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an independent, 501c(3) educational institution, so the fair market value of all donations is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.