The Museum’s Collections Committee reviews donations based on factors like rarity, historical significance, provenance, and condition. The Museum accepts objects that fill a collection void, have an interesting provenance, are rare, and/or are in excellent condition. The Museum is interested in toys that were played with and collects stories of play from donors that may be shared with visitors.
Donate Your Toys
and Miniatures
Next Collection Period: November 1 to April 30
Support the Museum’s Growing Collection
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is grateful for the many donation inquiries received. Due to limited space and staff time, each donation is carefully reviewed to ensure it enhances the collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Museum does not accept unsolicited drop-offs. Objects must be submitted with prior arrangements.
The Museum receives an extraordinarily large number of donation offers each year. The staff members who facilitate donations have a variety of other responsibilities. This defined collecting period allows staff to focus on other important projects between May 1 and October 31.
Due to ethical guidelines, the Museum does not conduct appraisals. Visit the International Society of Appraisers at isa-appraisers.org to find qualified professionals.
The Museum makes no guarantee if/when donations will go on exhibit. Only donations that fit the Museum’s collecting scope are accepted for the collection. It is not possible to know when a donation will be exhibited. When the Museum accepts donations, we promise to care for the object(s) in perpetuity, so your gift is accessible for future generations.
Donation Interest
Submit your toys and miniatures for donation consideration today. Please email objectdonation@toyandminiaturemuseum.org with your contact information, any history you have about the object and its original owners, and photographs of the object showing all sides of the object and any maker’s marks.