Adopt an Artifact

Adopt an Artifact – Protect the History You Love

Stepping Stones holds the largest collection of materials that belonged to Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill Wilson and Al-Anon Family Groups Cofounder Lois Wilson. The Adopt an Artifact Program at the historic home of the Wilsons is a way for you to help ensure the proper care and preservation of the beloved collection of 110,000 objects and manuscripts, and to support the nonprofit’s overall mission.  Delight a friend or loved one by adopting an artifact in their honor or show your love for the recovery legacy of those who came before you by adopting an item yourself.

By making a donation, which is tax-deductible to the extent provided by U.S. law, your “adoption” helps us manage the professional upkeep, maintenance, conservation, and storage of Bill and Lois Wilson’s original belongings.

Donations fund general maintenance of a specific artifact and the overall landmark’s mission, which may include specialized conservation treatment of a particular item.

Artifact “adoption” or “sponsorship,” lasts one year from the date of adoption, is renewable, and non-exclusive. Adoption is not a “purchase” or “loan” of the item; no ownership is conveyed to the donor. Materials may be rotated in and out of display or be stored for treatment and/or protection. Adoption does not come with on-site recognition on or around the artifact so as to maintain the historic authentic environment, but adopters may be recognized below and in a print newsletter.
CLICK TO ADOPT To adopt for you or a friend, see artifact selection below and click here. 

“Adoption” Levels & Benefits

Scroll down for artifacts available to adopt.

$100 Adoption

• Adoption certificate
• Name of Adopter (or “Anonymous”) as the artifact sponsor on “Our Adopters” list on this page
• Name of Adopter (or “Anonymous”) in our annual printed newsletter listing along with a tribute honoring or remembering someone special if you choose
• Admission to Donor-Only Series Events

$500 Adoption – All of the above benefits, plus…

• Picture of the artifact with description and explanation of the significance
• If the artifact receives special conservation, you receive before and after pictures

$1000 Adoption – All of the above benefits, plus…

• Social media shout out (unless you prefer to be anonymous)

$2500 Adoption – All of the above benefits, plus…

• Mention of your sponsorship in e-mail newsletter and/or newsletter note about the object
• Receive conservation or condition status reports on your adopted object

$5,000 Adoption – All of the above benefits, plus…

• Mention of your sponsorship during a live Stepping Stones event
• Behind-the-scenes tour of the home and archive or virtual tour for you and your guests with a Stepping Stones historian
• Gift shop product discount for phone or in person orders (20%)
• *Exclusive adoption of the specified item.

To adopt for you or a friend, see artifact selection below then click here for form. 

Artifacts Available for Adoption Follow

If you would like to adopt a different artifact than those below, email archive@steppingstones.org.

Adopt & Your Name or Honoree’s Name Can Be Listed Here!

Our Adopters

The support of adopters helps us continue to care for and exhibit the rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts that connect us with the past. Thank you for helping to preserve the history of the Wilsons!

Kitchen Table

Bonnie Tisi in memory of Johnny Trotta

Copper Tray from Arizona Al-Anons

Bert Whitehead Family

Father Ed Dowling’s Cane

Dan M.

Lois’ Dinosaur Garden

Sally Corbett-Turco in honor of Walter Stuart, Paul Capetillo, & Mike Shuster

Eileen Giuliani in memory of Lois Burnham Wilson

Jebb

Pompano Beach Mens Al-Anon Family Group

Shoe with Cross Stitch

Laura S. Lexington, KY

Tea & Coffee Cups

Anonymous (2)

Anonymous in honor of JoAnn Margulis

Janet B.

Margaret DiPietro

Typewriter

Anonymous in honor of Dr. Ben B.

Anonymous in memory of Bill Borchert

Anonymous in memory of Captain Ken Youngberg

Anonymous in honor of Joan H.

Jim B.

Ruben in honor of Duane

Eileen Giuliani in memory of Nell Wing

Mike H., Sag Harbor, NY

Janet M., Al-Anon (IN & NJ) in honor of Al-Anon Family Groups

David P. for 37 years

Kimberly P., Spartanburg, SC

Claire Ricewasser

Dray S.

 Louis Shaknitz in memory of Louis & Beatrice Shaknitz