Dive head first into history by accessing our archive and object collection in person!

make an appointment to view the collection

General research materials listed in our What’s Onsite section are always available in the Research Library, whenever the museum is open. We are always happy to provide access to specific artifacts and records in our archives and object collections, but we ask that you make an appointment to view the collection ahead of time due due to limited staff time.

You can tell us generally what areas of the collection you would like to see—yearbooks from 1968-1972, for example—or a specific object or set of objects—ballot boxes from Sand Creek townships. Searching the collection online may help you identify specific objects you’d like to see. Once you’re ready to make your appointment, simply fill out the form below and come see us!

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see the collection

Fill out the form below and a staff member will be in touch with you shortly to confirm your appointment to see artifacts in the archives or object collection. You can also email us or give us a call, (952) 445-0378.

Donate to the collection

Considering donating to the Scott County Historical Society? Thank you! We depend on the generous donations of Scott County residents to continue expanding its collection and its capacity to tell the ongoing story of this region.

Unfortunately, we can not accept every item into the collection and we do not accept unsolicited object donations.

Please find out more about donating objects to SCHS here. We make a commitment to each artifact we accept into our permanent collection to care for, provide access to, and safeguard it forever. That is a commitment we cherish, but we ask for your understanding that it is also an expensive and time-consuming one.

With limited space, time, and resources, it is important that we make each decision to accept an object carefully, considering whether we have similar objects already in the collection, how that object will help us tell Scott County stories, and whether we have the space and ability to take the best care of the object now and for generations to come.

In most cases, SCHS can not accept the following items.

  • Unidentified photographs

  • Family bibles

  • Family trees

  • Artifacts not directly connected to Scott County or its residents

Due to liability concerns for the safety of our staff and your object, we also can not hold your object onsite while we consider accepting it.

We respectfully ask that you send photographs of your object or bring it to the museum prepared to take it home with you after we hear its story.

Do you Have an artifact for us to consider?

To find out more about the acquisition process, or to tell us about an artifact you would like to donate, please call (952) 445-0378, email us, or fill out the online form here. We will reach out to you as soon as possible.