For full guidelines on object donations please click here.

 

Our collection reflects the history of York and Yorkshire from 1500 to the present day.

We are particularly interested in acquiring:

Costume and Textile

• Men’s costume from all periods.
• Costume from 1970 to the present day.
• Costume which reflects everyday life, including local industries, from all periods.
• Textiles that reflect trends in hobbies and crafts such as patchwork and quilting, needlework, knitting and crochet.

 

Military History

• Armour.
• Edged weapons.
• Associated memorabilia.
• Female military uniform.
• Items which reflect recent modern day warfare, with particular emphasis on how it links to York.

 

Social History

• Items that reflect ‘hidden histories’ of minority groups in York such as LGBT+ and black and minority ethnic communities.
• Items that reflect modern day living in York including:
  • National and local events and festivals.
  • York based industries such as racing, chocolate, tourism, and finance.

 

It is not always possible to accept everything that is offered for the following reasons:

• We already hold similar examples in the collection.
• The item is more appropriate to another museum (e.g. it is not from York or Yorkshire).
• It is in poor condition and would be difficult to preserve.
• There is not enough information about it.

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