I agree that any time that deaccession funds are used for anything
except collections there is an ethical question.  
Now, to add fuel to this fire, there have been occasions where
deaccessioning and "misuse" of funds (aka not directly on acquisition of
new or the more suspect conservation of old objects) has allowed the
institution to survive to serve the public and to preserve other items
in its collection.  Sometimes institutions, like individuals, need to
operate outside "best practices" or even "acceptable practices" to
survive. 
Would it be better for the institution to close its doors, divest
itself of its collection entirely, and start over with the new mission? 
In this particular case, how often has the museum significantly changed
it's mission?  Over the years I have watched one institution vacillate
back and forth over its mission.  I have no proof of how that has
impacted their stewardship of collections but I do suspect that it was
not/has not been positive.
What I am implying here is that we need more information to reach any
conclusion in this particular case.  HOWEVER, it is certainly fuel for
good discussion and provoking thought.

this email, BTW, reflects the opinion of it's author which is not
necessarily shared by her employer (National Archives and Records
Administration) not the federal government of which NARA is a part
regardless of the fine wisdom which it exhibits...


>>> Ken Mark <[log in to unmask]> 11/8/2010 8:06 AM >>>
Candice,
 
I believe you have raised a good question and that you are spot on.  I
do
not believe exhibitions fall under the category of the proceeds going
back
to improve the collections.
 
Ken

 
Kenneth D. Mark
Director of the Oakes Museum

Messiah College
One College Ave. Box 3029
Grantham, PA 17055

Telephone: 717-796-1800 x 7190
FAX: 717-691-6046
Email: [log in to unmask]>>> Candace Perry <[log in to unmask]>
11/8/2010 8:55 AM >>>

All right.  I was simply posting because I have heard much concern
from
individuals in our greater community. Therefore it is
*controversial.* 
Incidentally, I don*t think exhibitions are generally considered
appropriate
use of deaccession funds, and I do not think that the historical
society is
looking to improve their collection. Perhaps the mindset has changed.
Pardon me for offending you.  
Candace Perry
 
 


From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Brian Rayca
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 7:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] controversial deaccession/loss of object

 

I don't see whuy this would be controversial in any way?  Unlike more
controversial deaccessions where the money was used on operating
expenses,
there doesn't seem to be anything underhanded in what is shown in the
catalog.  I agree with Carl.  So long as the hisotrical Society is
doing
this ubove board and for improvements to the collection, and or
exhibitions
why would it be considered controversial?

 

Brian Rayca

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 8:30 PM, Cass Karl <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

I'm not sure what's so suspicious about the deaccession of these items.
 I
would assume that the change in the museum's mission was well thought
out
and in response to what the constituency of the museum wants.  I also
think
it's fairly obvious that these items (although lovely and valuable) no
longer fit the mission of the institution where they are held, and as
such,
deaccession is a valid option.  I would also assume that the museum
has
ensured that they have clear title to the objects, and that the
community
that supports the museum will not object to their sale (it is a
relatively
public auction, after all).  I would also assume that the museum needs
the
money that will be generated by this auction (for the aforementioned
"interactive exhibits" I assume), or they wouldn't be doing it.

I know that's a lot of assumptions, but I don't
 see any reason to think
the
worst based on just this blurb from the auction catalog.  Maybe there's
more
to the story that I am missing...

 

The missing sampler, especially right before the auction, *is* a bit
odd. 
I'll give you that. 

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM, Deb Fuller <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 12:51 PM, Candace Perry
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> The Burlington County Historical Society in Burlington, NJ is
deaccessioning significant objects in their collection via an upcoming
auction at Freeman*s in Philadelphia. Here is a link to the auction:
>
> http://issuu.com/freemansauction/docs/1387 
>
> Please go to page 57 in the catalog.  Take special note of the text
about
the reasoning behind the deaccession.

Minor clarification - if you type in page 57 at the top of the screen
to jump to the page, the actual page number in the catalog is 54.

Interactive exhibits, eh? Hurm.

Deb Fuller

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