Donations to the Permanent Collection

In the 43 years since its inception, the Loudoun Museum has grown from a collection of loaned objects in a small space in the Log Cabin to the entire ground level of the two conjoined 19th century buildings adjacent to the cabin. Today there are over 7,600 objects in the Permanent Collection - on view or in storage, ready for future exhibitions! Over 95% of the objects in the Permanent Collection have been donated by generous individuals and organizations who wish to share their treasures with others and trust the Museum to be good stewards of both the objects and their histories. The Museum and all the residents and visitors to Loudoun County are indebted to these thoughtful donors.

Here are images of a small sampling of the many unique and interesting objects donated recently:

A rocking cradle made by Edmund A. Tyler, a chair and cabinet maker working in Aldie, active ca. 1855 through 1900.

Studio portrait of Mary Leonard Tillette, on the occasion of her marriage to Hugh A. Tillette, Hillsboro, in September 1921. This formal portrait was made at the Hawes Studio, George W. Henzel, Proprietor.

Along with this photograph, the donation includes the wedding gown, shoes, and veil (soon to be on view in the Hall Gallery).

Photograph of Oatlands (reproduction, oversized).

A set of six large images of old Loudoun will be hung in rotation in the newly-repaired north staircase of the Museum.

Class photograph, Ashburn Elementary School, 1963-64, part of a large collection of papers and photographs relating to Ashburn Elementary School, Boy Scouts, and Camp Montresor.

Etui, in form of toy chest with toys designed by Betsy Morgan, and made by members of the Loudoun Sampler Guild, in Memory of Betty Whiting Flemming.

For more information about donating or lending objects and archival materials to the museum, please contact curator, Pam Stewart, at pstewart@loudounmuseum.org.