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We don't have a separate policy for bequests and they are considered in the same way as other donations. However we have an unwritten agreement with our development department:

If any one offers to leave us objects in their will the Development Department refer the matter to the Registrar's Team and we assess whether we are likely to want to accept the objects. We advise the person making the will that circumstances may change by the time they die so we cannot guarantee that we will accept their bequest, we also advise them that we will not accept bequests with conditions attached.

When we are left objects in a will our Development Department contact the Registrar's Team to see whether we want to accept them. If it is something we are already aware of then we check to see if there has been any change in circumstances. If it is something we were not aware of we carry our our normal procedures for assessing whether we want to accept a donation.

If we decide not to accept a bequest then our Development Department will write to the Estate declining the bequest and setting out some possible options that they may wish to consider including donating the objects to another institution or selling the objects and donating the proceeds to us. It is of course for the Executors to decide what course of action best meets the wishes of the deceased and their legal obligations. If we are offered objects which we would accept if they didn't have conditions attached we explain that to the Estate and it is for them to decide whether it best meets the wishes of the deceased to remove the conditions and proceed with the bequest or to not go ahead.

Collections Registrar, English Heritage

tel: +44 (0) 1904 601905. 37 Tanner Row, York, YO1 6WP

Dear Museum-L Members,

My museum is located on a university campus and we receive all our funding from the institution. Our collection is made up completely of donations. We are privileged to have received some fantastic work that is used for exhibitions, research, scholarship, and teaching. The museum staff has generated a donation policy which has been approved by a museum committee made up of museum staff, as well as staff and faculty from the university. This policy however, does not cover items donated to the collection from bequests or estates that are given to the university. In the past, objects have been accepted by the university Development department because the pieces have been part of a donor’s estate. Not having full control over what is added to the collection can become a problem as there are limited storage and funds to safely preserve the collection. Does your institution have a policy regarding objects from bequests or estates that you would mind sharing? Staff at our museum would like to generate a statement or suggestions that we could provide to the university Development team. Our aim is to better communicate the challenges and needs of the museum and have some ability to control donations from bequests/estates.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to email me off the listserv at [log in to unmask]

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards,

Leslie Walfish

Gallery and Collection Manager

Wriston Art Galleries

Lawrence University