Hello!

I also work in a military museum, and we have some canned and boxed
rations from WWII-Iraqi Freedom in a timeline exhibit. Most of the boxed
items on display are empty. Canned items should be ok, provided that there
are no dents or visible rust on them when you acquire the object. And as
long as the food (canned or boxed, or even bagged) is kept in a dry place,
it should last a long time. We have a Korean War Footlocker full of
artifacts, and there is a big ration can of "something" that we allow
people to handle. So far, it's been fine.
You only really need a few food items, not a whole pantry full! So I'd say
examine donations throroughly if you do decide to accept more, or just go
through what you have and see if that collection is sufficient!

I hope this helps!

Dina Linn
Assistant Director of Education
Soldiers & Sailors
Military Museum & Memorial
4141 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213




Dear Listers,
>
> I work in a military museum, and ever so often people want to donate food
> items, usually canned or vacuum packed, that the armed forces have used
> overseas--MRE's, canned water, rations, etc. anywhere from WWII stuff all
> the way up to what is used today. I'm leery to accept this stuff,
> especially when I remember a time a few months ago, just starting the job
> of cleaning out an overstuffed set of bookshelves, when I reached for an
> item in the dark recesses and came out with a 1940's era B-2
> ration--"Pork" Slices in Juices. Yes, the "pork" was actually in
> parentheses like that. What's worse, it had rusted and collapsed in upon
> itself and petrified there was slimy stuff on the outside and I still have
> nightmares about it to this day and now I can't enjoy a piece of bacon or
> a hot dog without getting a little wobbly.
>
> So! Back to the point. And other military museum people out there who can
> tell me what their policy is (or how they deal with it)?  I'd like some
> precedence to back me up when I go to my director and make the case for
> not accepting any more, unless they are EMPTY (I can't remember if I
> mentioned that part---all the items are unopened and uneaten).
>
> Thanks!
> Christy Jones
> Archivist
> MS Armed Forces Museum
> Camp Shelby, MS
> _________________________________________________________________
> Local listings, incredible imagery, and driving directions - all in one
> place! Find it!
> http://maps.live.com/?wip=69&FORM=MGAC01
> ========================================================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).
>

=========================================================
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).