Hello all,

We have an item in our collection which has great historic value and 
which we intend to use as a marketing tool.  In reviewing our accessions 
records we find that the object was only loaned to us back in 1948 and 
as far as we know was not otherwise given to us as an official gift to 
the collections.  We do have a letter from the donor from 1958 
requesting a letter from the Museum confirming that this item was only 
given as a loan, in the event that any future family members may wish to 
repossess the item.  Unfortunately we do not have a copy of the 
requested letter if it was written.  There are a few family members 
living in the community and some feel that it is time to approach them 
about the situation but are unsure of just how to proceed.   I should 
note that our current collections policy states that items loaned to the 
Museum become permanent gifts to the collections after a period of five 
years (unless other arrangements have been made) - a scary thought in 
itself!  But this was undoubtedly not the case when the item came to us 
in 1948.  Has anyone had a similar experience who would be willing to 
share or give some guidance on this?

thank you,
Dana Street
-- 

Dana C. Street
Curator
Martha's Vineyard Museum
PO Box 1310  59 School St.
Edgartown, MA 02539
508.627.4441    ext.111
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www.mvmuseum.org

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