Donate an Object

Do you have an item connected to Willimantic’s textile history or the history of the town that you would like to donate to the museum?

We are especially interested in objects that help tell local stories, including:

  • Family heirlooms connected to mill workers
  • Historic maps or atlases
  • Documents related to the mills or local industry
  • Objects used in the mills
  • Materials related to immigrant experiences in Willimantic

These are only examples. If you have something else you think may be relevant, we encourage you to share details. What matters most is whether your item has a story worth preserving for future generations.

Because our storage space is limited, we cannot accept every donation. Submitting the form below does not guarantee acceptance. It allows our collections staff to review your item and determine whether it fits our mission and capacity.

Sewing Machine Donations

We generally cannot accept sewing machines because we have very limited space and already have many in our collection. In rare cases, we may consider one if it has an exceptional local story or historical significance.
 

Other Types of Donations

We also accept certain in kind donations that are not added to the permanent collection, such as items for raffles, events, or the gift shop. We cannot accept all such items, but you may indicate this type of donation in your submission.

The Windham Textile and History Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Approved in kind donations may be tax deductible as allowed by law.

How to Submit a Donation Inquiry

To help us review potential donations, email us the information below at archives@millmuseum.org, or call the museum at (860)-456-2178 to share details with staff. Our curator reviews all inquiries and will follow up if the item fits our collection. Please note that we are not able to provide immediate responses.

Please include:

  • your name and contact information
  • a description of the item
  • approximate date or era
  • size or dimensions
  • its story, historical context, or connection to Willimantic history
  • photos if available
  • whether you are offering it as a collection donation, educational item, or in kind donation (If you are open to one or more of these options, you may specify more than one)

Because storage space is limited, submission does not guarantee acceptance. We are unable to review or accept items that are sent without prior approval.