Select items in the Museum’s collection are often featured through the organization’s website and related public communications. Direct access to collection items that are off-view and in storage may be arranged by advance appointment. Please contact the Museum’s collections registrar for further information regarding access at (212) 312-8822. Unprocessed materials, however, may not be available for viewing until they have been fully cataloged. We support scholars working to expand professional and public understanding of a range of topics related to 9/11. Use our scholarly research request form to learn more.

The Museum may, with approval from the board of directors, remove objects and documents from the collection through a process called deaccessioning. Artifacts or documents that are damaged beyond repair, have a condition that puts other parts of the collection or the staff and public at physical risk, are a duplication of other items in the collection, or are outside the interpretive scope of the collection may be considered for deaccessioning. This practice is a rarity, and will be undertaken only for exceptional reasons. Deaccessioned material may be transferred to another museum or cultural/educational organization, destroyed, or sold. Any proceeds from the sale of deaccessioned material are placed in a restricted acquisition fund to further enrich the quality and scope of the Museum’s permanent collection.

The Museum cannot guarantee that any object or image donated to its collection will be exhibited in perpetuity, or temporarily, unless expressly collected for that purpose. Like most museums, only a small fraction of our collection is on view at any given time. Conservation practices also require that certain types of material periodically “rest” from exposure factors such as light, which can diminish or harm the integrity of the object over time. All items accepted into the permanent collection serve as a valuable resource for research and education, and may rotate onto public view from time to time. Uses include display in special and core-history exhibitions, short-term loans to other approved museums and libraries, educational programs, and museum publications, collections catalog, and web features.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is recognized as a qualified charitable organization. Consequently, the fair market value of your donated materials is generally tax deductible. To take advantage of your deduction, you must file tax form 1040 and, depending on the value or estimated value of your donation, tax form 8283. It is recommended that you consult with your own accountant, attorney, and/or the IRS. You may also consult IRS Publication No. 526, Charitable Contributions, and Publication No. 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.

The Museum does not provide appraisals of the monetary value of your donation. The Internal Revenue Service deems this a conflict of interest, as museums and libraries are “interested parties” and their primary purpose is to acquire and safeguard materials for the public’s educational benefit. Monetary appraisals prepared by such nonprofit institutions are subject to disqualification by the IRS. However, professional appraisers will perform this service for a fee. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, you may wish to contact one of the following organizations for a referral:

American Society of Appraisers
International Society of Appraisers
Appraisers Association of America