The BNYDC Archives seeks to build its collections primarily through donations. Our collecting approach strives to reflect the legacy of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, BNYDC, and its activities.
The Archives has two separate and equally important collecting goals:
- Materials that support BNYDC’s mission and goals.
- Materials that document the history and heritage of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
At this time, we are focused on representing the businesses that call the Yard home, as well as the corporate legacy of BNYDC.
The following information is aimed at potential donors, and provides information about the Archives’ acquisition process.
Basic Terms and Conditions Governing Donations
- All donations must be unconditional gifts.
- The Archives’ does not guarantee the exhibition of donated material.
- Donations may be tax deductible, but BNYDC will not furnish appraisals of items.
- Items are placed in storage, but not made accessible until resources become available.
- Objects may be deaccessioned based on spatial constraints and/or updated policies.
The Donation Process
The following outlines the procedure for donating material to the Archives. Please read carefully.
- The first step in the donation process involves furnishing the Archives with photographs of the objects you wish to donate, as well completing the Archives’ questionnaire. Please contact the Archivist. Potential donors should not bring or send objects to the Archives without first having completed the inventory form and having sent recent photographs showing the current conditions of the objects to be donated. The inventory section of the questionnaire lists the objects being offered and states clearly the physical conditions of the objects. Please see form below.
- Archives staff will evaluate the questionnaire and photographs to determine which offered objects are of interest. If the Archives is interested in any of the objects proposed for donation, it will contact the donor.
- After contacting the donor, the Archives will (1) send a Deed of Gift by post and (2) schedule an appointment for the physical transfer of material. The donor must personally deliver the objects to the Archives at which time a Deed of Gift must be signed by both the donor and the Archivist. The Archives will also furnish the donor with a copy of its Collections Management Policy and its Policy on Access and Use.
- Your collection will be promptly placed in storage and prepared for future processing by Archives staff.