I have a question for those museums with Nazi materials in their
collections-

 

As a museum that deals with both Jewish and military history, we have
acquired many Nazi-related items over the years.  These items range from
helmets to uniform items to knives to flags.  The vast majority of the
items have swastikas on them.  My question is, how do we handle the
deaccessioning of these items?  How do other museums handle the
deaccessioning of Nazi-related items?  Donating them to another museum
is (to me) the most attractive option, but not always possible.  What
about the sale/auction of these types of items?  While distinctions can
be made about the difference between the German army and the National
Socialist Party, neo-Nazi and white supremacists are not likely to draw
such distinctions.  This is why I personally oppose putting anything
with a Nazi-related symbol into the open market.  If you do not donate
it and you do not sell it, what do you do with it?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Pamela Elbe

Assistant Collections Manager

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R St. NW

Washington DC 20009

p: 202.265.6280 x104 

f: 202.234.5662

http://www.nmajmh.org/

 


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