We do indeed have such a program.  It's called "Adopt an Object," and it's been wildly successful.  We have a big notebook filled with descriptions and photographs of objects that need conservation, ranging from very low-cost projects all the way up to big, more expensive conservation projects.  There's also a pamphlet form that people can take with them or distribute at their local chapters.  The ability to contribute to the health of an object within "their" museum seems to be one of the big lures for members of the organization, but we occasionally get donations from people who simply have an interest in the object, or who might not be a member of the DAR but is related to the maker/original owner/etc. of the object.  To give an example, we recently had three hooked rugs go out to conservation - the member who adopted them picked them because her mother loved to hook rugs, and wanted to do something as a tribute.  If it's a very large project, sometimes a chapter or even a state will fundraise to be able to pay for the work.

In occasional cases where the object on the list is in need of immediate care, we will have it done but keep the object as adoptable so we're reimbursed.  This doesn't seem to be an issue with adopters.

I'm probably overlooking something, but what would be the "obvious" reason for hesitation to start a program like this? 

Genevieve Ellerbee
Associate Registrar
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Washington, DC
202-628-1776 x 331


-----Original Message-----
From: Sandra Smith [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 12:15 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: conservation adoptions


Hi Melissa,
The DAR Museum in Washington DC uses this approach frequently, and
fairly successfully.  You might try contacting them for more
information.

Sandra

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