>Back to my question.  I have great respect for the
>integrity which a custodial institution must have if it is
>to maintain public confidence.

>Indeed I consider that the chair I would like to acquire is
>not "owned" by the institution, but is being "held in
>trust" by the institution for my benefit as a member of the
>public and that this is presumably what my distant relative
>hoped would continue to be its fate when the donation was
>made.

>So is there any ethical way for me to approach the
>institution?

This is a question we're often asked.  You should simply,
first, ask the museum what the chair's status is.  If this
chair were in our museum, we'd check the records.  We could
hardly give it "back" to you, since you never had it in the
first place.  That semantic difference aside, we'd see if
the piece was recorded as a "loan," "purchase," or
"donation."  If it was a loan, and you could document your
position as the inheritor via court records, we could, and
likely would, release it to you.

If it was recorded as a purchase or donation, and still met
the requirements of our mission and collections strategy, we
would have to turn you down.  In this instance the piece
would not be "held in trust" for you, but for the museum's
constituents.  "Owned" is likely a legal term in this
matter.

But ask them, that's always a good place to start.  Good
luck.

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C. L. Dill, Museum Director
State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard
Bismarck  ND  58505-0830
P: (701)328-2666
F: (701)328-3710
E:  [log in to unmask]
Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/
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