The State Historical Society of Iowa builds its special collections (manuscripts, audio-visual materials, maps & ephemera) through public donations and with limited purchases of new material. It is guided in its selection criteria by a collections development policy. Not everything that is offered will be added to the collections, but all offers will be carefully evaluated and considered. The State Historical Society does not accept materials under "permanent loan" agreements.

The State Historical Society of Iowa does not provide authentications or monetary appraisals of documents, photographs or other historical resources. For assistance in in these areas, please visit the Society of American Archivists webpage or American Society of Appraisers.

If you have manuscripts, audio-visual materials, maps or ephemera that you would like to offer as donations to the State Historical Society of Iowa, contact:

Additional information on donating collections to the State Historical Society of Iowa can be found in What's In Your Attic?