Much of what is displayed in the museum and is in its archives comes from donations.

In its early days, these were often almost unintentional: machinery and work tools bound to be thrown away because they were no longer used, blades abandoned in cellars or attics and regarded as irrelevant. Many artefacts were even retrieved in metal junk yards.
Had these donations not occurred, today we’d have lost an immense material and immaterial heritage of know-how, expertise and traditions of Maniago workshops.
Since the Museum opened, the donation system has been perfectioned and hundreds of pieces went from being privately owned to becoming the heritage of the city of Maniago and its community.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN OBJECT AT HOME AND WANT TO DONATE IT TO THE MUSEUM?

1. Call the museum or better send an e-mail attaching some pictures of the item(s) you want to donate.
2. The museum’s Scientific Technical Committee evaluates the acquisition of the object, which will, if approved, become a museum exhibit.
3. The item(s) will then be acquired: the donor fills in a simple form, and by City Council Resolution, the municipality of Maniago gains full ownership.

In return for your donation, you will receive this coin, attesting your contribution to increasing the museum’s heritage..

Why a coin?
A common belief holds that scissors and knives should not to be given as a present, since “all that cuts and stings love disjoins”. This means that the relationship between those exchanging the gift is at risk of being cut off by the sharp/pointy present. The solution is easy: pay a symbolic amount and the sharp object is no longer a gift but a purchased good.
That’s why we thought that a coin was the most appropriate way to “pay” the donation with, for we wish the relationship between donors and museum will be a long-lasting one, based on a reciprocal, enriching exchange.