What can Durham Cathedral collect?
The cathedral collections include manuscripts, printed books, pamphlets, photographs, artworks, archives, church plate, textiles and much more, including digital files.
New additions must be relevant to our mission as a cathedral and our existing collections.
We are especially interested in items which:
- Help us tell the story of the Cathedral in new ways.
- Fill a gap in our existing collections.
What is Durham Cathedral unable to collect?
We are unable to accept items which:
- are made of or contain hazardous materials e.g. asbestos, poisonous, carcinogenic or radioactive substances.
- we cannot store or make available e.g. very large items or those requiring special types of storage.
- come with terms and conditions that place unacceptable limitations on our use of collections
- lack a clear and legal ownership history or raise other legal concerns.
- fit better with the collections of other heritage organisations.
Durham Cathedral has a formal collection development policy which covers these matters in detail. This document is currently under review. We will publish the revised version on this website shortly.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer valuations.
Quote from Charter of King Athelstan, 934
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I, King Aethelstan, give to St Cuthbert this gospel book, two chasubles, and one alb, and one stole with maniple, and one belt ...
Charter of King Athelstan, 934
Making a decision on donations
The Library and Collections team carefully consider all information given and consult colleagues and other experts as required. We may ask you for further details and proof of ownership and history of the item. Large or complex donations must be approved by Chapter, which meets every two months.
If we accept your donation, we will send you an Agreement to sign, so that the arrangement is on a sound legal basis.
If we are unable to accept your donation, we do our best to suggest other heritage organisations who might be interested.
Whatever the outcome, thank you for your kind offer to Durham Cathedral.
The legal side
We are happy to explain all the below legal matters to you if that is helpful.
Durham Cathedral prefers to acquire objects via donations or bequests.
Donation means that the owner assigns ‘title’ of the item to Durham Cathedral. Durham Cathedral become the owner of this item.
If the donor owns copyright, we will ask either for this to be assigned to Durham Cathedral or agree terms of a licence.
Donors are encouraged to discuss potential bequests with us. We reserve the right to refuse legacy items which don’t meet our collecting policy.
We will send you or your executor an Agreement to sign. This transfers ownership to Durham Cathedral.
Caring for our collections requires long-term investment. We welcome financial support to help us store, conserve, catalogue and make available these wonderful treasures. See the link below for further information about supporting the Cathedral.
