I think that Deb's mention of the North Carolina bill of rights case raises
a couple of issues that are at the core of our discussion here:  in the
U.S., first, thieves can never convey good title--doesn't matter how many
years pass.  Getting the thing back is another matter (see the Georgia
O'Keefe case), but there is always a cloud on the title.  And equally
important in this case is the idea that government records (like a copy of
the Bill of Rights sent to each state) and community property can never be
alienated from its government or community.  This is a principle laid out
nicely in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA) and other state and federal law.  

 

Admittedly, this has required many  museums to rethink their acquisitions
policies, but this is not a bad thing!

 

Claudia

 

Claudia J. Nicholson

Executive Director

North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting

651-748-2880

[log in to unmask]

www.nssm.org

 


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