Hi  Tracie,
I couldn't  help but wonder if you knew anything about on line
Registrars courses, or Collection Management courses. We  have a
teachable staff member who needs some info/ learning.
Thanks!
Serena Meredith Rosenkrantz
Education Director,
International Museum of Art & Science


> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: abandoned property
> From: "Tracie Evans" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Tue, October 12, 2004 3:55 pm
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Amanda-
> For items that have no known paperwork, they are declared "Found in
> Collections"  and are the property of the museum.  The abandoned property
> statute does not apply since you do not know the donor.  Most organizations
> will accession them with the donor noted as "Found in Collections" so that
> if information comes to light later on, this item can be reconnected with
> its muniment at a later date.  If then, no clear ownership can be
> established, then the abandoned property statute would come into play.
>
> If you would like to discuss this more fully I would be happy to talk to you
> about it.  Feel free to call or email me.  Also, I am doing a basic
> registration refresher class on Friday, October 15, here in Waco if you
> would like to come you are more than welcome.  Feel free to contact me for
> details.
>
> Sincerely,
> Tracie Evans
> Collections Manager
> Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
> [log in to unmask]
> PO Box 2570 Waco TX 76702
> 254/750-8631
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Amanda Thompson [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 2:34 PM
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      abandoned property
> >
> > Hello All:
> >
> > I have a question re: "orphaned collections," aka "found in collection"
> > items.  According to the Texas Property Code, Chapter 80, a museum can
> > begin the process of gaining ownership of abandoned property (a donation
> > that was never actually completed or an expired/permanent loan) by marking
> > the date that the object is declared "abandoned," waiting 15 years w/o any
> > contact from the owner, then 1) declaring notice in the newspapers of the
> > county of the museum and the county of the last known address of the owner
> > at least once per week for 2 consecutive weeks, or 2) sending a letter w/
> > proof of receipt.  If the owner still has not contacted the museum within
> > 65 days after the last notice given, then the museum may "claim" the
> > property.
> >
> > That's all fine & dandy, but here is my question:  What is the procedure
> > when the museum has absolutely no idea who donated the object (if indeed
> > it is a donation and not an undocumented loan) or from where it came?
> > (There are many artifacts in the collections of the museum that are
> > considered "old collections" and have been at the museum for as long as
> > anyone who is still alive can remember.)
> >
> > If there is no known donor or lender, then notice obviously cannot be sent
> > in a letter, nor can it be placed in the newspaper of the owners last
> > known county.  So, since the museum doesn't have legal ownership of the
> > object, it cannot be accessioned, deaccessioned, disposed of, or loaned.
> > Have any of you ever dealt with a similar situation?  Even if you aren't
> > in Texas, I would be very interested in hearing your ideas/thoughts.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Amanda Dyer
> > Bell County Museum
> > Belton, TX
> >
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