A few years back, we put on a "Treasures of the Texas Memorial Museum"
exhibit, built around around the concept that "we can't keep everything out
all the time, but here's a chance to come and see some of it".  This could
be a way to give donated items an occasional airing.

And let's not forget "virtual exhibits" on the museum's web site, which can
expand one's "floor space" substantially, and allow for introducing new
material without necessarily having to take something else down to make way
for it.  For example, the upcoming revision of our web site (
http://www.tmm.utexas.edu/ ) will include an exhibit archive, where past
exhibits and selected special events will remain permanently on
display.  This will permit us to keep the rest of the site changing and up
to date without disappointing those people who like to revisit old
favorites again and again.

At 06/21/2001 11:33 AM -0500, you wrote:
>Following this thread...Just 2 cents.....
>I have worked with organizations that used a "recent acquisitions case" to
>display, document and praise recent donations/donors.  (And this was the
>only location in the museums where donors were listed by name and a history
>of them/their family was provided...etc)...this provided museum staff with a
>means of sticking by the legal and ethical requirements of collecting and
>collections policies but still is a means of  "honoring" donors with a
>special place and (limited)  time of exhibit for their cherished items.
>Photographs of an item on display in such a case and having it in a
>prominent location (as you enter a gallery) are sent to donors.  Kept on
>file they would be great for visiting relatives or donors who return when
>that particular item is not on display.  ("See we DID have it on exhibit!!")
>A visual reminder that "we" the museum appreciate your donation, but space
>and conservation constraints prevent our display of everything, all the
>time....seemed to keep folks smiling.
>
>Bridget Jones
>Sam Rayburn House Museum
>Bonham, TX
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