Donations

Financial Donations
The Baileys Harbor Historical Society gratefully welcomes support from both our members and the general public. Your contributions help fund projects and activities that advance our mission.

You can make a donation to:  

  • Honor someone special in your family or circle of friends
  • Celebrate a milestone such as a birthday, anniversary, or graduation
  • Commemorate the life of a loved one who has passed away

How to Donate
Choose one of the following methods:

  • Mail a check to Baileys Harbor Historical Society and mail it to:  P.O. Box 336 Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
  • Consider a legacy gift by including the Historical Society in your financial or estate planning. We’d be honored to work with you to create a lasting impact.

Stay tuned to our newsletter, website, and Facebook page for updates on special projects in need of support.

For more information or to coordinate a giving plan, please contact us at: info@baileysharborhistory.org

Donations to Our Collection
The Baileys Harbor Historical Society collects and preserves original, significant objects that document and help interpret the history and cultural heritage of the Baileys Harbor area for both present and future generations, in alignment with our mission. The Board of Directors has adopted a Collections Policy to guide its decision-making regarding acquisitions. 

If you have an item, photograph, or other memorabilia that you would like the Historical Society to consider for its collection, please email us at: info@baileysharborhistory.org

A Board member will respond to your inquiry and ask questions to learn more about your item—such as its age, condition, and its connection to the history of Baileys Harbor. They will also explain the Society’s collection policies and share the reasons why an item may or may not meet our criteria.

Items We May Accept
We generally consider donations of:  

  • Manuscripts, records, books, and other written or printed materials
  • Photographs, prints, paintings, and other visual media
  • Tapes, recordings, and oral history materials
  • Equipment, furnishings, clothing, and other natural, commercial, institutional, or personal objects from the past

Please note that preserving, storing, and exhibiting historical items requires considerable resources—time, space, and funding. As such, we are unable to accept all items offered for donation. We prioritize memorabilia that reflects key themes in our community’s history, including, but not limited to: 

  • Logging, fishing, maritime and lighthouse heritage
  • Ethnic traditions of early immigrant groups
  • Baileys Harbor businesses
  • Notable citizens and significant events from Baileys Harbor’s past (primarily 1848–1970s, with some exceptions)
  • Tourism and resorts

Important Notes
We may not be able to accept items delivered directly to the Toft House at 8061 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, where our displays are located. Drop-offs without an appointment depend on whether the information center is open and, more importantly, whether a Board member is present at the time of your visit.

To ensure someone is available to meet with you, please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment: 

Telephone:  920-839-2366 (voicemail available)

Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note: We are unable to provide appraisal services for items under consideration or accepted into our collection.