How to donate objects

Help build the Collection

The Saltaire Collection has been built on generous donations of objects over the last 40 years.

If you have something that you think would help build the Collection, please read on to find out how to donate it.

Sorry, we are not accepting donations until October 2026

The Saltaire Collection is looked after by a dedicated team of part-time volunteers. We have a lot to do in 2026 to care for the items we already have and to prepare for moving to a new building. To allow us the time to do that, we have decided temporarily to stop taking donations.

So please hold on to your items and get in touch later in 2026.

If you have something that does need to be donated urgently (perhaps because it would be lost otherwise) then please contact us.

What type of objects do we accept?

All donations are considered on their individual merits, guided by our collections policy. Broadly speaking, items should be related to the social, industrial and commercial heritage of Saltaire or to the personal and family histories of people associated with Saltaire.

We hope that donors appreciate our need to manage limited space and resources, so we may not be able to accept everything that is offered.

We do not usually accept:

Objects that represent a potential hazard, such as firearms, or objects containing asbestos, or explosive, flammable, poisonous, carcinogenic or radioactive material (e.g. old luminous watches)
Objects that may threaten our current collection, such as items infested with pests
Objects given on a long-term loan basis, rather than as an outright gift
Objects with excessive conditions for use