Support

The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum is made possible by the philanthropy of those who support, finance and enrich the Museum’s programs, exhibitions, collections and research. Your contributions help the Watts Museum realize its fullest potential for the benefit of the community, WVU and Appalachia’s industrial heritage.

The Watts Museum presents programs and projects that donors and sponsors find worthy of interest and significant to the community. Your donations ensure the Watts Museum’s success in serving its mission of preserving and promoting the social, cultural and technological history of the coal and petroleum industries. The information below describes several of the many ways that you may forge a partnership with the Watts Museum.

Individual Gifts

The Watts Museum graciously accepts gifts in any amount from individual donors. Your donations, made by cash, check or credit card, help the Museum continue as a cultural and educational resource for the community.

Restricted Gifts

Donors may choose to direct their support toward a specific purpose that matches their interests with the needs and priorities of the Watts Museum. Restricted gifts may be applied toward a museum purchase, a temporary exhibition, an educational program or another project of the donor’s choosing.

Tribute and Memorial Gifts

A gift to the Watts Museum is a meaningful and special way to honor or memorialize a relative, friend or colleague. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a personalized tribute card sent to the honored individual or family.

Gifts-in-Kind

Gifts-in-kind are non-monetary donations that assist the Museum in fulfilling its mission. Books, artifacts, art, museum items, equipment, supplies and services are accepted by the Watts Museum based on their appropriateness for use in its facilities.

Corporate Sponsorship

Corporations provide critical support to the Watts Museum’s operations, collections, exhibitions and programs. Corporate giving presents numerous opportunities for companies to strategically present themselves to the Museum’s diverse and distinguished audience. In addition to providing a unique marketing and promotional platform, sponsorship enables a company to make an enduring contribution to its industry and community.

Please make checks payable to The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum. Contributions to the Watts Museum are tax deductible. Any donation of $2,500 or more will receive recognition on a donor plaque located at the front of the Museum.

For more information about donations and sponsorships, please contact Danielle Petrak, Curator, by phone at (304) 293-4307 or by e-mail at danielle.petrak@mail.wvu.edu.