Donate Your Architecture Books to Preservation Chicago’s Mary Ellen DiMatteo Architecture and Chicago History Library

Preservation Chicago has been building an Architecture and Chicago History Library collection to promote and facilitate research regarding Chicago architecture, history and the built environment.  Envisioned as a useful resource for professional historians, students, and enthusiasts who wish to research Chicago history, it also serves an essential resource for Preservation Chicago staff and research consultants. This collection is housed at Preservation Chicago’s offices at 205 W. Monroe Street and opened to the public in 2023.

What will Preservation Chicago do with my book donation?

Preservation Chicago staff relies heavily upon the Mary Ellen DiMatteo Architecture and Chicago History Library collection for research regarding the historic building for which we advocate. Reporters, city officials, and community preservation partners rely heavily upon our research so its essential that it is timely, accurate and comprehensive.

The majority of donated books are added to Preservation Chicago’s Architecture and Chicago History Library.  However, original documents, papers, drawings or rare books are typically donated to leading institutions such as the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute of Chicago so that they can be maintained in perpetuity within the safety of the professional archives for future generations of researchers.

Occasionally, duplicate copies of more readily available books are donated to interested organizations, individuals or institutions. More information is available here regarding the Preservation Chicago’s Chicago Architecture Collection.  To search the catalog of all 3,000+ titles in Preservation Chicago’s Chicago Architecture Collection, please visit our online digital catalog at Libib.

What types of donations does Preservation Chicago accept?

Preservation Chicago accepts donations of any books, paper, drawings, prints, photographs or documents related to architecture, Chicago history, and Chicago’s built environment. On occasion, we have even accepted decorative arts, furniture, building fragments, or even full building facades.

We work closely with the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute of Chicago regarding any original materials including as architectural drawings, documents, maps, papers, histories, etc.  Typically, Preservation Chicago will maintain a digital copy within our collection but the original materials are donated to the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, Chicago History Museum or other professional archives.

Are book donations tax deductible?

Yes, any books or materials donated to Preservation Chicago are fully tax-deductible as in-kind donations as permitted by law. Preservation Chicago is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, Federal Tax ID: 01-0674228.  Upon receipt of any donation, Preservation Chicago will mail to the donor a thank you letter on letterhead acknowledging receipt of the donation.  Donation receipts do not include an estimate of the value of the donation, but can include a detailed list or inventory of the items donated.  Please consult your tax advisor for additional information and advice.

Where should I bring my donation?

Please drop-off or ship donations to Preservation Chicago’s office at 205 W. Monroe Street, Suite 400, Chicago IL 60606. Please note that any donations left at the front desk will make their way to our office.

Additional Questions?

For larger, more complex donations, or for out-of-state donations, please contact Ward Miller, Executive Director, at 312-443-1000 or at wmiller@preservationchicago.org.  And thank you for considering a donation to Preservation Chicago.