More than 90% of the collections have been donated since ACHS was founded in 1951. Donors offer papers, objects, photographs, and other qualifying items of historical interest to Ashland County, Ohio’s history because they feel there is a story worth preserving and sharing. Some also believe they can no longer care for the items properly. Our mission and goal is to honor the communities’ trust and to fulfill our mission by preserving and making accessible the history of our vibrant communities to the public.

The Museum’s collections contain historical and cultural objects, photographs, archival and reference materials, books, and ephemera relating to the contributions, lives, and context in which comprise the history of present-day Ashland County. Representative artifacts include those of pre-Columbian significance, documenting the lives and culture of the indigenous populations that ancestral land Ashland County currently resides (Lenape Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot Miami, Ottawa, Seneca, Potawatomi, and other Great Lakes tribes: Chippewa, Kickapoo, Wea, Pinakashw, and Kaskaskia), and those of modern descent including but not limited to early settlers of the Northwest Territory, industry and technology, audio-visual, transportation, textile and fashion, agriculture, and more. The ACHS cares also for three historically significant buildings to both local and state of Ohio history: the Ashland County Children’s Home, aka Freer Children’s Home, a building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Manor House (414 Center Street, built 1859).

Items for the collections consideration are subject to the following criteria: state of preservation, degree of rarity, representativeness of diverse histories and culture of those who lived, learned, worked, and visited what is now known as Ashland County, and the ability of the staff and facility/collection to adequately preserve, care for, and exhibit materials. Special collecting consideration will be given to collections that are inclusive and representative history of all villages, townships, cities, and communities and those who lived, learned, and worked within.

ACHS reserves the right to not accept the following items unless a proven connection to Ashland County and/or Ohio history can be fully asserted and verified, and hold intrinsic value to the stories ACHS is entrusted to preserve and share: architectural remnants, mass produced popular culture items (e.g. LEGO sets), photocopies of material published or readily available elsewhere unless significantly annotated, items with unclear provenance or origin, and radioactive or other harmful/toxic material. The museum will comply with the 2003 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Guidelines Concerning the Unlawful Appropriation of Objects During the Nazi Era and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) when considering any potential donation.

ACHS rarely purchases items for its permanent collection. However, on rare occasions we may purchase items through the generosity of past donors who have contributed funds for that specific purpose. Financial contributions earmarked specifically for the collections care at the time of acquisition are always welcome.

If a donor wishes to write their donation of an object off on their taxes, they must receive an independent appraisal. Accountants well versed in charitable giving should be consulted. ACHS is prohibited by the IRS from providing financial appraisal of donations. If an item is accepted to the ACHS collection that has been appraised by the donor, a copy of the appraisal shall be included in the formal donation file.

Through careful collections management that promotes care and access, the ACHS library, archives, and museum may deaccession permanent collections that do not fit the mission or are in poor condition. In 2025, the ACHS Board of Trustees updated its comprehensive Collections Management Policy, which outlines the complete and transparent process qualified staff must undertake in the event of deaccessioning. 

The above procedures are guided by the ACHS Code of Ethics which are aligned with the Code of Ethics for the American Alliance of Museums, American Association for State and Local History, and the Society of American Archivists. 

ACHS follows its board approved Code of Ethics, the ethics outlined by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), and the Society of American Archivists (SAA). ACHS further adheres to the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and guidelines associated with Nazi looted art.

We do not accept things illegally obtained and do not condone the destruction of property or accept things obtained by deliberate destruction for the purpose of donation. Salvaged items, however, may be considered.