Financial Support – Help fund our efforts
Over 6,000 families visit the NEW BUFFALO RAILROAD MUSEUM each year. The history of our little corner of the world, and the significant role the railroad played in our development, is on display for all to see. In addition to our Depot, Box Car, and Troop Car, many photographs, artifacts, and documents are available for the enjoyment of the avid history buff or the young at heart – most significantly our interactive model train layout depicting how New Buffalo and the Pere Marquette Railroad Yards once looked in days gone by. In addition, several programs are held each year for young and old alike.
The New Buffalo Railroad Museum [add] is open free-of-charge; therefore it is supported entirely by private sector contributions. In addition to past support from the Michigan Arts Council, CSX Transportation, the Berrien Community Foundation and the Pokagon Fund, we are honored to be the recipients of numerous individual donations.
Your donation helps sustain our legacy and improve our quality, reach, and level of participation for the residents, second home owners, and visitors to the greater New Buffalo area.
If you would prefer to donate using a check in lieu of an online payment, please make your check payable to ‘New Buffalo Railroad Museum’ and mail to:
New Buffalo Railroad Museum
PO Box 3
New Buffalo, MI 49117
Donate Artifacts
Charitable Donation Acceptance Policy
The New Buffalo Railroad Museum welcomes and encourages charitable donations of artifacts, memorabilia, and objects of significance to the Pere Marquette, the Michigan Central, C&O, Chessie and Amtrak railway lines in addition to anything related to the greater New Buffalo history. It will also accept articles that are unrelated to railroad and area history such as tools, train cars, vehicles, parts, and equipment that can be utilized in the restoration of railroad equipage and artifacts or the maintenance of the facility and grounds. In addition, the New Buffalo Railroad Museum may also accept items that are unrelated to railroading and local history depending upon Museum need or fit within our mission.
Guidelines
Please make arrangements with the Administrator BEFORE bringing in your donation to the New Buffalo Railroad Museum Please keep in mind as you choose to donate to the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, that we will only accept items that enhance the educational experience of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum’s visitors or that might be sold to generate financial support. Additionally, both prospective donor and the Museum must consider:
- Does the Museum have the resources to care for and preserve for the item(s).
- Are items in reasonable condition.
- Does the donor have a clear title.
- There would be no ethical or moral conflict in accepting the item.
All charitable donations will be subject to review by the Board. Please note, not every charitable donation will be accepted. Where charitable donations are not accepted, New Buffalo Railroad Museum staff will notify the prospective donors which will be expected to reclaim the objects.
Charitable donations that are accepted become the legal property of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum and may qualify for an income tax deduction. DONORS are responsible for determining the true value of their charitable donation and are encouraged to contact their tax attorney before making a charitable donation.
If you have items you would like to donate to the New Buffalo Railroad Museum fitting the above criteria, please contact the Museum by phone, email or mail. Make sure to include your name, contact information and a detailed description (along with a photograph if possible) of the items you would like to donate.
Disclosure
The New Buffalo Railroad Museum is 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable corporation. Donations are deductible from your federally-taxable income to the fullest extent of the law. All credit card donations are processed by PayPal and the charge will appear as “The New Buffalo Railroad Museum” on your credit card statement. For verification of nonprofit status for the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, please click here.
