Gifts to the Collection

Overview

Since becoming the headquarters of the Lowell Art Association in 1908, the Whistler House Museum of Art has housed, maintained, and exhibited an expansive collection of artwork, furniture, textiles, and books in the historic birthplace of James McNeill Whistler. The focus of the Museum’s collection is late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century American representational art, with special emphasis on the artists of New England.

The Whistler House Museum of Art’s collection has grown tremendously since its creation through gifts. Donations of art, objects, and funds for acquisitions allow the WHMA to expand and enhance its international collection and continue the legacy of Lowell as a beacon of art and history.

Gifts of art, furniture, textiles, and other donations for the collection require careful review, so please contact collections@whistlerhouse.org to ensure the WHMA is able to accept your gift. Read more below on how the process of donating a work of art to the Whistler House Museum of Art.

Making a Gift to the Whistler House Museum of Art

Notify the Museum of Your Interest

Please send all inquiries regarding gifts of art, furniture, textiles, or other donations for the collection to collections@whistlerhouse.org. We ask you please provide any relative information you have on the donation, including:

Images of the front (recto), back (verso), and signature (if included)
Title or name of object
Artist or creator
Medium
Dimensions
How you acquired the artwork/object
Former owners, if known/applicable (provenance)
Formal appraisals, if any

Review by the WHMA’s Collections Committee

Once you have expressed your interest to the museum, the request will be reviewed by the WHMA’s Collections Committee. Composed of museum professionals, artists, and historians, the Collections Committee will determine if your donations fits into the museum’s current scope, expands interpretation on site, and can be appropriately cared for and stored. Regardless of the Collections Committee decision, we thank you for your interest in expanding the WHMA’s collections and your support.

Appraisals or Assessments of Artwork

As an accredited museum, we are not able to appraise or assess works of art for value or authenticity; however, the WHMA will gladly provide a list of appraisers you are welcome to contact. This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to contact other local auction houses, antique dealers, or appraisers, who may be able to help you with next steps.

Donation and Deed of Gift

Following a thorough review by the Collections Committee, the WHMA may choose to incorporate your donation into the museum’s collection. If so, the WHMA will contact you and have you sign a Deed of Gift, formally acknowledging the donation and including provisions and provenance. While the WHMA cannot guarantee your donation will be on continuous permanent display, we promise to preserve and interpret your gift to the best of our abilities for future generations of artists, historians, and engineers to enjoy. In some cases legal council may be required, which will be determined through a discussion with the donor and a museum representative.

For more information, contact the Curatorial Department at collections@whistlerhouse.org.

Memberships

Your membership helps to support our many programs and events. Members enjoy free admission to the
Historic House and Parker Gallery, invitation to Whistler House events, and special member ticket prices.

Become a Member