Yes, it is unfortunate that Ward Petznick, and others, cannot see items
donated by their ancestors because they were de-accessioned.

However, museums can and do evolve. They change their mission, lose/gain
storage space, evaluate that items have not been (and may not be) properly
cared for.

If a museum, in the past, accepted items without a collection policy, it may
find itself turning into Grandma's attic. Storage and care of items takes
time, labor and money, which this group knows all too well are in short and
dwindling supply.

In the original case of items that were never properly accessioned, there
seems no doubt that they be appropriately disposed of and funds directed to
collections. Sale at a distant local auction makes sense.

Janet Falk

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . 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).