The easiest and best policy statement you can make
regarding acceptance of artifacts is that they be taken without restrictions of
any kind. First of all, the museum should be free to decide the best use
of the items. Secondly, if the donor wants to restrict the donation in
some manner, then perhaps he or she should just keep the item in question and
not donate it. Third, once you make an exception or accept a restriction,
what's to stop the next person from demanding something really absurd.
This may sound cold, but I've seen too many instances over the years where
donor/lenders meant one thing and the museum understood something different or a
donor/lender changes his/her mind after the donation. This is not to say
that there can't be exceptions. It's just better to have a clear-cut
policy beforehand so that everyone understands what happens once possession is
transferred. You can always go to your Board of Directors and ask for
a waiver of the policy on a case-by-case basis.
Jeff Tenuth
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dear
Colleagues,
Greetings to you.
I'm a new member to this listserv, so please forgive me if I'm asking a question
that's already been discussed.
My institution
(Buffalo Bill Historical Center) is weighing whether to change or maintain our
current policy regarding the acceptance and acquisition of items for our
collection that carry a "must exhibit" requirement. The question has surfaced
several times in recent months with regard to the potential donation of items.
Our current policy is to accept such items provisionally (i,e., on a
case-by-case basis), but we're endeavoring to determine if we need a clear-cut
policy statement. I'd very much appreciate learning of other
institutions' policies and procedures in this regard.
Sincerely,
John C. Rumm, Ph.D.
Curator of Western American
History
Buffalo Bill Museum
Buffalo Bill Historical
Center
Cody,
Wyoming =========================================================
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