The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience collects and preserves stories and objects of material culture donated by volunteers who serve in communities around the globe. It fosters cultural understanding through education and promotes research on the impact of Peace Corps, encouraging visitors to serve—wherever they live, however they can.
Objects and stories donated by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) anchor the Museum’s professionally curated collections. Items of interest include functional and decorative objects of material culture, such as occupational and household tools, textiles, ceramics, crafts, artworks, masks, and ceremonial items acquired during years of service.
Contributions
The Museum collects objects of material culture and stories for preservation, exhibition, education, and research. Objects of interest include, but are not limited to, those associated with:
- specific Peace Corps programs (malaria or HIV eradication, agriculture, or teaching)
- challenges that volunteers faced with language, health, transportation, or food relationships with local residents
- significant Peace Corps events, people, or locales
- occupational practices (traditional agriculture, medicine, or food preparation)
- tools, equipment, household items, or clothing used by volunteers or local residents
- the arts including folkart, musical instruments, or other forms of creative expression made by volunteers or local artists
Personal stories behind the items donated by volunteers are an important part of the Museum’s collections. A compelling story brings an object to life and enhances the visitor’s experience. It provides a cultural context in which to view the object and understand its meaning.
The Museum Also curates exhibits which may be lent to local and regional RPCV groups.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your proposals.
Questions? Contact us at contactus@peacecorpsmuseum.org
(Please note: Items such as diaries, letters, or photographs will be considered only if they accompany other donated objects. The Peace Corps Community Archive at American University collects and preserves these materials, plus journals, reports, lesson plans, scrapbooks, photographs, and film, video, and audio recordings)