Archival Policies

As a general guideline, acquisitions should be related to Mountaineer core activities in the Pacific Northwest. Core activities include hiking, climbing, skiing and snowshoeing, conservation, and outdoor education and advocacy.
Accept photographs and films dated prior to 1945 that depict distinctive period subjects. Attempt to obtain identification by place, time and individuals depicted (if any).
Accept historically significant photographs and films/videos dated after 1945 only if they can be identified by place, time, individuals shown (if any) and facts surrounding event.
Accept personal journals, manuscripts, trip logs, etc., only if they contain historically significant materials.
Accept books, magazines and journals only if they contain regionally significant content not found in other Mountaineer holdings.
Accept ephemera if related to a particular event and identified by date, individual user/owner and facts surrounding event.
Materials will be accepted only on the condition that the club has the right to reassign or dispose of donated materials as the club deems most suitable.
To facilitate screening of artifacts, prospective donors should submit to the History Committee a photograph of each artifact to be donated, for evaluation. This enables the Committee to determine whether the item is a suitable addition to Mountaineer collections. To contact the History Committee, click here.

Mountaineer Annuals: Retain ten copies of each Mountaineer Annual prior to and including 1956.
Retain six copies of each Mountaineer Annual subsequent to 1956.
Evaluate condition of retained Annuals and when condition is deemed less than perfect attempt to obtain replacements by advertising in the Bulletin and soliciting donations.
Equipment: Retain only if there is display or storage space available within club facilities. Otherwise, attempt to place in other appropriate museums or collections.
Photos, films, videos, personal journals, etc: Attempt to place all such materials in other appropriate museums or collections except in those cases where club member access would be overly restricted or where ongoing and repeated member use is expected.