I, too, would be interested in such discussions, as I also not only work for an
organization that runs historic sites around the country, but I also serve on
the board of a local site. (However, there was no address with the initial
message, so I don't know to whom to respond!)

In dealing with all the Trust's sites, we do not allow plaques in the period
rooms. It really detracts from the interpretation! However, we have often had a
donor "wall" where we post lists of donors (and also memorials to others for
whom something is given), not only of objects, but also of cash for the purchase
and/or care of objects. The wall is usually in a public area where visitors see
it - introduction area, museum shop, etc. At the Trust, we actually have a
statement in our collections policy that says that we do not use markers and
other such things to note donations of objects.

At house museums where I have worked in the past, however, we had a silver
engraved plaque on each of the door jambs that announce that there has been a
specific donor to the restoration of an individual space. It was fairly
unobtrusive, but I don't think it would be continued today - again, the
interpretation issue. Is the plaque more important than the room?


Melissa Heaver
Director-Museum Collections
National Trust for Historic Preservation
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______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: historic house museums
Author:  Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>  at internet
Date:    6/22/98 9:32 PM


I am on the board of a historic house museum and have also been a museum
professional for the last 15 years. I would like to correspond with staff or
board members of historic house museums as a way of sharing information and
moving our institution forward.

First question for discussion: what do you do about donor acknowledgments. We
don't want to stick plaques all over the period rooms for things like funding a
painting restoration or paying for new wall paper. However, as you know, donors
like their recognition. Do you put up a single plaque with multiple names in a
central location? Do you use mulitple plaques in situ? Or do you have a
different method?
Many thanks for your help