Gifts to the Colony

2009 Donations Enrich the Collection

Gifts to the Colony is our annual recognition of artifact contributions made to ACHS during the current year of operations.  Each year descendants or others approach ACHS with an offer to contribute artifacts to our collection.  While we cannot take everything offered we do accept items that enhance our total understanding of life within the Aurora Colony.  Additionally we have become increasingly interested in the lives of the colony descendants and now often incorporate portions of their stories into our annual family exhibits which we have held since 2006.

Importance of Descendents

Often it is the exhibit itself that inspires descendants to make contributions.  Sometimes these start out as loans and then become donations during the process.  Some of these gifts consist of making document or photograph collections available to us so that we can scan them into our collection thus increasing our knowledge and opening up more pathways of exploration for researchers.

At other times we are contacted by descendants who honestly have little knowledge of the artifacts that have been in their attics for generations.  They are always amazed at how important these objects are to American history and they are pleased to donate them to a museum that is designed to show them in the best light.

Importance of Volunteers

Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one’s ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them. ~Harriet Naylor

“We Give Thanks” for our volunteers, without whom our educational programs and events would not be possible.
We have recorded over 4,660 hours to date in 2009.  The Independent Sector lists the estimated dollar value of volunteer time at $20.25 per hour.  4,660 hours x $20.25 = $94,365.00

We thank all of our contributors and are pleased to present this 2009 version of “Gifts to the Colony”.

The exhibit runs through December 31st during regular museum hours.