Dear Traci:

I concur with the two listers who responded to your posting--read as much as
you can on the subject before you get started! The objects have been waiting
this long, they can wait a few more weeks.

The Upstate History Alliance (http://www.upstatehistory.org) can help you as
well. They offer small grants to historical societies in upstate New York to
assist with collections management, board issues, strategic planning, etc.
at no cost to your institution. e-mail: [log in to unmask]

Good luck!

Joann Lindstrom
Museum Consultant
Candor, NY

>> Hello,
>>
>> I am a trustee for a small historical society in upstate NY that is just
>> beginning to formally accession the various items it has acquired since its
>> establishment in 2000. I am spearheading the process and hope I might get
>> some advice from the get-go on the best way to number our objects. I
>> thought it would be a no-brainer to go with the simple 3-number system I
>> have read about and seen in use. But, in pondering (perhaps too much!)
>> about it, I have been considering a couple of options for the middle number
>> referring to the donor/source, especially. It made sense to me, initially,
>> to have a unique number for each donor/source that would be used again and
>> again in future years (if or when they donated other artifacts). Has any
>> other small institution tried this and found success/failure? From what I
>> can tell, it seems most institutions wipe the slate clean and begin with #1
>> again each year. Any thoughts are much appreciated!
>>
>> Thanks very much,
>> Traci Langworthy
>> Sheridan, NY Historical Society
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