Archival Donations
Thank you for your interest in the NMD and for considering the museum as a repository for your possessions.
The mission of the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is inspiring the future of oral health through celebrating the heritage of the dental profession. To help achieve this mission, the NMD collects, researches, preserves, and interprets archival materials in accordance with our collections policy.
The archives chronicle the founding and advancements of dental education, technology, and professionalism, the personal and business records of innovators and agents of change within the dental community, and the overall progress of the dental profession from the 18th century through today.
Our archival holdings include textual documentation, correspondences, photographs, audiovisual materials, trade literature, patents, and more. This material provides invaluable insight into the foundation, professionalization, and continued progress of a profession, and the broad range of individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses that continue to make an impact on the dental world.
What we can & can’t accept
The NMD is happy to consider any offered donation that falls within our collecting criteria; however, our storage space is limited and there are legal and ethical considerations associated with each donation. In general, we collect items that relate to the dental profession, oral health, and the craniofacial complex of humans and animals.
Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:
- Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
- Historical material with documented histories, including who produced it, who owned it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
- Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for material not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating.
Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:
- Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
- Historical items with documented histories, including who made it, who used it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
- Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, in working condition if possible, with manuals or other documentation, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for an artifact not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating
Condition
Appraisal
Appraisal of your donation can happen at any time prior to, during, or after the donation process. The museum cannot provide monetary valuations to donors, but we are happy to work with the appraiser of your choice.
Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:
- Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
- Historical material with documented histories, including who produced it, who owned it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
- Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for material not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating.
Please contact us for more details, but here are a few important guidelines:
- Donations must be made by the item(s)’s legal owner.
- Historical items with documented histories, including who made it, who used it, and where and when it was used are preferred. The more information you have about your donation, the better we can share its story!
- Donations with no missing parts, in their original condition, in working condition if possible, with manuals or other documentation, clean, and in generally stable condition at the time of donation are preferred. Exceptions can sometimes be made for an artifact not meeting these conditions, please email nmd@umaryland.edu as soon as possible before donating
Submit your donation request!
Thank you for your interest in the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry. We would not have the leading repository for dental history related objects in the world without donations such as yours. We greatly appreciate your contribution to the history, understanding, and impact of the dental profession.
hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10am to 4pm
Address
31 S. Greene St. Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone
410-706-0600
The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is an auxiliary enterprise of the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
