Can I see objects that are in a museum's storage and not on display?

Often only a small share of a museum's collection is on display at any one time, with the rest in storage. Many museums will consider requests from researchers, students or people with a family connection to view stored objects, though policies vary.

Contact the registrar or curator in writing, explain why you want to see the object and be flexible with timing. Staff will usually need to schedule an appointment, retrieve the item and supervise the visit, so give them plenty of notice.

Some museums also publish online collection databases with photos and descriptions of stored items, which can answer many questions without a visit. Behind-the-scenes tours, members' events and open storage areas are other ways to see more of a collection than the main galleries show.