In article <[log in to unmask]>, John Martinson
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>One more question on ethics.  I am doing a paper on the subject,
>and appreciate any help on my earlier question and this one.  I'm
>trying to create some interesting cases.
>
>Artifacts:  An artifact is given to the museum, with the proper
>Deed of Gift, etc., signed.  Later, a daughter of the women
>who gave the item came through the museum and notices the
>item on display.  She becomes very upset, that it was an
>item that was promised to her by her mother (who gave the
>item to the museum).
>
>Should the museum return the item to the women?
>
>Situation:  Let me add, if the museum already has items of
>like in the collection, and the donor is a good volunteer.
>She is very upset about not having the dress returned, and can
>cause contention in the community.  The daughter wants to
>wear the dress at her wedding and keep it in the family.
>
>Should the dress still be returned, or should the dress be
>kept?  Is it an ethical question?
>
>I was thinking, maybe it could be loaned back to her?  Or
>simply deassession the dress.  But, this presents, as I plan
>another problem -- what would other donors think? "Could I
>also get my valuable item(s) back I donated earlier, since
>and heard they were more valuable than expected?"

There are two issues here which must be separated: one legal, the other
public relations.  There is not an ethical question.

The legal issue is quite simply who owns the object.  Quite clearly it
is, on the case as presented, the museum.  They  have accepted it into
the public care for perpetuity.  There can be no question of return to
the family.  To do so undermines the basis on which collections are
assembled and held

The public relations problem is how to hold to the legal position
without damaging relationships with the particular family and the wider
community.  The museum may wish to resolve this problem by very publicly
loaning the dress back for the wedding and reap good PR by its actions.
This would set no problems of precedence, being a special case, but
would show the "big heart" of the institution.  Agreement and support to
this PR approach would be required of the family.


Julian Ravest
Museum Consultant
Everyone's actions are rational
within the world as they see it