Donate Artifacts

The Museum's mission includes the collection of artifacts that tell the many personal stories of Oak Park and River Forest.  You can contribute to this mission through the donation of artifacts. Categories of artifact donations include, but are not limited to: 
  • Archival:  books, documents, photographs, slides
  • Decorative arts: paintings, glass, furniture
  • Household items: kitchenware, tools, recreational items
  • Textiles: clothing, linens
We generally only accept items with a known Oak Park or River Forest connection. Due to storage space, we limit our intake of large items, such as furniture, pianos, organs, etc. 

Here are some questions to help determine the historical value of an artifact:
  • Is the item relevant to Oak Park or River Forest history?
  • Is the item from an Oak Park or River Forest family?
  • Is the item in good general condition? 
  • Will the item add uniqueness to our growing collection? 
  • What is the size of the item? 
Donations to the permanent collection are tax deductible.* 
 

If you have an artifact that you believe would make a good addition to our collection, please contact us at (708) 848-6755 or email oprfhistorymatters@sbcglobal.net.

*Please note:  Oak Park River Forest Museum cannot provide appraisals of objects for tax purposes. Once in our permanent collection, Oak Park River Forest Museum, operated by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, maintains all rights and titles of the object.