Hi Ramona!

Wow, that's a new twist!  I wonder why she is requesting the change, even though she does not want the pieces back and she believes her heirs will not want them. The basic issue is, as I see it, that if you were to make the gift into a loan, you would have to deaccession it first. Generally, deaccessioning policies state that the objects should not go back to the donor, but should be placed in another museum or sold through public auction.  Additionally, if she were allowed to change the gift into a loan, what would happen upon her eventual demise?   I hope she will listen to reason - keep us posted on what happens!

Sarah
Collections Coordinator, Rochester Museum & Science Center





---- Ramona Renfroe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> We are in the process of reviewing our Collections Policy and have
> encountered a situation that could pose a difficult precedent. 
> 
>  
> 
> Six years ago a donor gave the museum three pieces of 19th century furniture
> that have become a major portion of one of our exhibits. The closure of a
> regional museum and the disbursement of their collection have concerned this
> lady for the stability of local museums in general. The situation is further
> complicated by her relationship to certain Board members which has elevated
> it beyond the wording of the Deed of Gift to an emotional discussion. She
> wishes to change these items from "gift" status to "loan" status "just in
> case" the same fate were to befall our museum. She does not want the pieces
> back nor does she think that her heirs will want the pieces in the future.
> Board members' reactions have been varied and have placed our Collections
> Committee on alert to the sensitivity of this particular incident.  
> 
>  
> 
> Have any of the List members encountered a similar situation or do you have
> policies in place that address such circumstances? 
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ramona
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Ramona A. Renfroe
> 
> Director
> 
> Museum of Ashe County History
> 
> 301 E. Main St. / PO Box 1404
> 
> Jefferson, NC  28640
> 
> Phone: 336.846.1904 / fax: 336.846.1932
> 
> [log in to unmask] 
> 
> 
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