On Wed, 12 May 1999 16:23:56 EDT [log in to unmask] writes:
>May 12, 1999
>
>Dear Colleagues:
>
>I am writing in the hope that you can assist me in gathering
>information about the fate of objects being abandoned at the doorsteps
of museums,
>cultural institutions and memorials.
>
>>If you would take a few moments and complete this questionnaire, it
>would be of great help to me.  This information is being gathered for a
>Master's Thesis in Museum Professions at Seton Hall University.  Your
responses
>can be returned to me via regular mail, fax or e-mail.  If you would
care to
>discuss this with me, I may also be reached at the telephone number or
e-mail
>listed below.
>
>Thank you in advance for your help.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>
>Katie Jones
>359 Upper Mountain Avenue
>Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
>Phone: (973) 744-1503
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>Fax: (732) 335-1107
>
>Objects Being Abandoned at Doorsteps of Museums, Cultural Institutions
>and Memorials
>
>
>
>Have individuals left or abandoned objects at your facility at any
>time?
>YES      X       NO
>
>        If so, what type?
>
Real and silk flowers, candy, poems, letters, drawings, framed pictures,
books, candles, etc.
usually left at the memorial site.  On occassion unsolicited material
such as campaign buttons or other campaign memorabilia is left behind.
_____________________________________________________________________________
>
>        If so, how often?
>
About six to seven times a year.
______________________________________________________________________________
>
>Do you have any policy for handling this?

YES  X  NO
>
>Please explain.

        For those items left at the memorial site (RN & his wife are
interred on site), we have a memorial items collection, like a study
collection or presentation collection.  These items are not accessioned
into the permanent collection.  Perishables such as the candy and the
fresh flowers are disposed of.   The items can be used for study or
exhibit display.  Once things fall apart to the point where they cannot
be safely used, or are overly duplicated, then we will likely dispose of
the items.
>______________________________________________________________________________
>
>Are you aware if your state or municipality has any legislation in
>place that would relate to these circumstances?  If so, please explain.

No, other than laws dealing with abandoned property.
>______________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>Does your collections management policy deal with abandoned
>objects?

Yes.   We follow state of California laws for disposing of
unwanted/unsolicited/abandoned materials.

>______________________________________________________________________________
>
>If you have any other comments that relate to this topic of study,
>please note them on the reverse or on an additional sheet.

Please be sure to point out that abandoned property laws differ from
state to state.
When your study is done, would you please publish your findings here in
Museum-L?  Thank you.

>
>Name_____Olivia S. Anastasiadis,
Curator____________________________________
>
>Institution ____Richard Nixon Library &
Birthplace__________________________________
>
>Thank you.
>
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Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://museums.state.nm.us/nmmnh/museum-l.html. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).