You mean, when an object that has been accessioned into the museum collection (rather than on loan, or "in process") is requested back by the donor or his/her family?
As long as we have all the paperwork in place to prove title was given to the Museum, we don't do it. Ever.
Once the object has been transferred to the custody of the Museum, it becomes public property (ie., the museum hold the item in trust for the public). We have no right to preferentially return it to the private sphere (ie., give it to a specific individual through a private transaction). Offering it for sale, such as through an auction, where the donor has as much opportunity to purchase the item as anyone, might be considered--but only if we need to deaccession the item, and can't find another home for it where it remains in the public domain.
If a tax receipt was issued at the time of donation, it could well be regarded as tax fraud to later give the item back to the donor, or his/her heirs. Even if a tax receipt wasn't issued, this sort of thing doesn't look good to the government.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tim McShane, Assistant--Cultural History
Esplanade Museum
401 First Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8W2
Tel: (403) 502-8587
[log in to unmask]
>>> "Joshua K. Blay HSBC" <[log in to unmask]> 11/19/2007 7:18 AM >>>
I'd be interested to see what regulations other institutions have in
place when a museum object is requested to be returned.
Regards,
Joshua K. Blay
Associate Director
Museum Curator
The Historical Society of Berks County Museum & Library
(610) 375-4375
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