Artifact Donations and Loans
Thank you for your generosity in supporting the Galveston Naval Museum through artifact donations. While we are actively working to grow our collection, we do not have the resources to serve as a repository for all military history. Please review the following guidelines to determine whether your proposed donation aligns with our collection policy.
GUIDELINES
PLEASE NOTE:
We do not accept artifacts without proper paperwork and prior communication.
Artifacts dropped off without processing will be returned or disposed of.
Galveston Naval Museum is Currently Accepting:
•Items directly related to the life of our ships, their vessel types, and
crews—including personal memories and memorabilia
•Documentation or objects that reflect the vessels’ years of service
•Materials documenting preservation/restoration efforts by volunteers or staff
•Original 1940s-format photographs (prints or negatives) of the
USS Cavalla or USS Stewart
•Personal effects from USS Cavalla crew members from any time period
•Artifacts from other Edsall-class Destroyer Escorts with personal narratives
•Artifacts from other Gato-class Submarines with personal narratives
•Artifacts from the USS Carp (SS-338) or USS Tautog (SSN-639) or other vessels in their respective classes
We are currently not accepting:
​•Newspapers
•Nazi artifacts of any kind
•Objects with no ownership or personal history
•Post-war ship models
•Art depicting battles unrelated to Destroyer Escorts, Gato-class, Balao-class, or Sturgeon-class submarines
•Objects not related to our vessel time periods
•Non-original copies of art or documents​
Types of Accessioning
.jpg)
Loans
A loan allows the museum temporary custody of object(s) for a mutually agreed-upon period, ranging from several weeks to years. During this period, the museum assumes responsibility for the care and storage of the item(s).
At the end of the term, the lender may:
•Renew the loan
•Retract the loan
•Donate the item(s)
Loaned items may be insured either by the lender or under the museum’s general liability coverage.
To complete a loan, we require:
•Signed loan agreement (provided by GNM)
•Intake forms for each item
•Shipping/travel details
•Donation/Loan form
Donations
Donating an item transfers full ownership to the Galveston Naval Museum. Donated objects may be moved between exhibition, archive, or storage at the museum’s discretion. However, we’re always happy to keep donors informed about the status of their items.
To complete a donation, we require:
•Letter of transfer of ownership
•Intake forms for each item
•Shipping/travel details
•Donation/Loan form