Archival Donations

The NMD is happy to consider any offered donation that falls within our collecting criteria; however, our storage space is limited and there are legal and ethical considerations associated with each donation. In general, we collect items that relate to the dental profession, oral health, and the craniofacial complex of humans and animals.

Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:

• Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
• Historical material with documented histories, including who produced it, who owned it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
• Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for material not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating.

Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:

• Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
• Historical items with documented histories, including who made it, who used it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
• Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, in working condition if possible, with manuals or other documentation, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for an artifact not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating

All donations to the museum must be clean and free of dirt, dust, grime, insects, cobwebs, etc. Offers received otherwise might be declined. If your donation is not in a condition that you would display in your home or office, then they are typically not in a condition that we can display or store in the museum. The museum does not retain conservation staff to address items in need of cleaning or conservation. If you believe your donation has significant historical value, but needs conserved, please email nmd@umaryland.edu to discuss funding possibilities for restoring your donation.

Appraisal of your donation can happen at any time prior to, during, or after the donation process. The museum cannot provide monetary valuations to donors, but we are happy to work with the appraiser of your choice.

Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:

• Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
• Historical material with documented histories, including who produced it, who owned it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
• Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for material not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating.

Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:

• Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
• Historical items with documented histories, including who made it, who used it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
• Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, in working condition if possible, with manuals or other documentation, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for an artifact not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating