In a message dated 11/20/2003 8:27:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] quotes an article by Wes Hills:

<< Alex M. Spencer, museum specialist and curator for the materiel collection
 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, said the practice at his
 and other major museums is, whenever possible, to offer to return items
 declared excess to their donors or their relatives. >>

I wonder if this statement is accurate.  A few months ago a number of
Museum-L messages pointed out that returning collection artifacts to donors is a
really bad idea, due to IRS considerations and other factors.  As far as I know,
this is not a standard Smithsonian practice.

David Haberstich

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