You've had fine advice...I'd just like to add a little perspective on the
English museum that might make you feel more comfortable contacting them.
'Tis always dangerous to make assumptions or generalizations, but here I go
anyway... If the museum you visited is a small county or city council
museum, or an independent one, they will have less access to funds and
professional support than our small museums do. The government, in
downsizing/reorganizing its museums, galleries and archives division at one
point did away with many of the museum-service office, sort of circuit-rider
trainers, that would be a free source of coaching for the museum you saw.
The new hub system for Renaissance in the Regions is slowly trying to
address that problem, but the trickle-down to the little guys is a rather
slow drip.
So that letter, with an attendant list of on-line resources, or professional
collegial contacts would be a real help to the museum, I'd guess.
Sarah S. Brophy, bMuse www.bmuse.net
570 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741
978-371-7821
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Christian Trabue
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 7:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Should I write a letter?
I recently returned from a vacation in England. While
there I visited a small museum which had many
wonderful objects that were not being preserved
properly. One object that specifically caught my
attention was a rare article of clothing which had
been donated by the daughter of the woman who wore it.
A beautiful letter and photographs accompanied the
clothing describing the circumstances in which her
mother wore this item and why she felt it was
important to donate it to the museum. Unfortunately,
the museum attached it to the wall with thumb tacks,
and let the bottom "puddle" on the bottom of the plexi
box. As a result, a large amount of dust and dirt had
accumulated.
I am not a museum professional. I am an art
appraiser. Is it appropriate for me to send a letter
to the museum explaining my concern? Should I suggest
alternatives? If this were your museum what type of
letter would capture your attention? Any advice would
be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Christian Trabue
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