Object Identification

​The Bonner County History Museum can help identify objects found in Bonner County that may have cultural significance to the history of Bonner County. 

Object identification guidelines

We do not have a professional archaeologist on staff, but we are happy to try to find information that will help you identify the object. 

Staff respond to identification requests on a time-available basis. 

Standard research fees apply for object identification. Please see our research policy and fee structure.

Please note that we will not appraise your object nor authenticate items for sale.

In-person object identification is only available by prior appointment.

What do I do?

To better help identify your object, you should have as much of the following information available as possible when you contact the museum. If the object was given to you by a family member, ask them if they know any information about the object.

  1. Where was it found? Knowing where an object was found can greatly increase the probability of identifying it. Please be as precise as possible; even knowing general information, such as whether it came from a field or a forest, can be really helpful. If you are able to provide a map or an address where the artifact was found this is often very helpful. 

  2. When was it found? For cultural artifacts, this can help us determine whether or not there are any legal issues with which you should be concerned.

  3. Do you have a photo of the object? Photos provide us an opportunity to do some preliminary research. Photos should always be taken with some sort of scale (a ruler is best, but even a common object such as a U.S. coin can help). 

Research Fees

Research Fees – Self-guided
Members – FREE
Non-members – $10 per hour.  (one hour minimum)

Research Fees – Research conducted by BCHM staff
Members – FREE (time limits based on membership level)
Non-members – $20 per hour.  (one hour minimum)

Note: there is no fee if we know we do not have the information requested, or know the answer and can provide it without research.

Obituaries
$5 each (FREE for members)

Photocopies
$.50 each

Payment must be received before any materials are mailed. Please send your request to:

info@bonnercountyhistory.org

Bonner County History Museum
611 S. Ella Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864

Learn more about our research capabilities.

Objects found on property you don’t own

If you happen to come across an artifact on a property other than your own you should leave the artifact where it is. It is illegal to remove artifacts from land you do not own, both public and private. We recommend that if you have a camera handy that you photograph the object in place and the area around it. If possible, take a GPS coordinate or draw a detailed map of where the artifact can be found. 

If you found this artifact on State, Tribal, or Federal lands you should contact the land manager and ask to speak to a cultural resource specialist. It is also appropriate to contact the Idaho State Historical Society to report your find. If you find an artifact on private property that you do not own you should inform the landowner. Your find may contribute greatly to our knowledge of the region!