When people willingly leave objects at PUBLIC memorials, they are motivated in part by the impact the objects will have on others. Of course they are also motivated by the gesture of emotionally unburdening themselves of that object, whether a beer or a Purple Heart. Consider THEIR intent, not yours. If they wanted it to be collected by an institution, would they purposefully place it in public space? 

For the objects to have impact, they need to be left there. If the objects get taken by others, so be it, that was/is the impact of that object. 

For an institution to collect these objects seems counter intuitive. PUBLIC memorial should remain public. Let the PUBLIC interact with it in the ways they naturally will, and stay out of the way. 

To help in your assessment of what to do in this situation, you might  try leaving the objects there for a time, say 90 days, just to see what effect it has on other people leaving objects, taking objects, volunteering to clean up the space, and/or asking you questions like "what are you guys going to do with those objects?"

That way you've let the public tell you what they are thinking, and how they are naturally interacting with the space.

Consider all angles of perceiving the space!

 Peter Spooner


On Fri, May 30, 2014 at 10:18 AM, Kris Carmichael <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Our community just dedicated a Veteran’s Freedom Park over Memorial Day weekend. In addition to flowers, notes and other small items, someone  left a purple heart and there is folded American flag and couple of cans of beer which we have been advised maybe token from Vietnam War veterans. This may or may not be an issue but we need to decide a clear direction on what to do with what people leave at the park. The site is not staffed and will require additional staff time to monitor.

 

Questions we are pondering include:

·         Should we create a historical collection of some of the items left? And if so what should we keep?

·         What should be left and or removed?

·         How long do we leave things at the site?

 

Do any of you have a similar situation and if so how have you handled it?

Any feedback will be much appreciated.

 

Kristina Carmichael

Supervisor

Page-Walker Arts & History Center

Town of Cary

P.O. Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512-8005

Voice: (919) 460-4971

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Peter F. Spooner
4931 Jay St., Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 390-3064        
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