I would suggest that you contact the Childrens Museum of Indianapolis. They have a very specific collections plan/policy which spells out the criteria for their different collections. Contact Sheila Riley at 921-5431.
At Conner Prairie 99% of all objects are tracked by the Collections Dept. Conner Prairie's collection includes permanent and educational resource objects. Educational resource objects include original pieces which have no provenence and who's acceptance was with the intention of using them for interpretation in any of our four historic areas (Trade Post, Prairietown, Liberty Corner and PastPort). This is explained to the donor. If they agree fine, if they don't they find another museum. Reproductions are also part of the educational resouce collection. These are normally purchased.
An original object currently included in the educational resource collection may, upon revelation of new information or the location/manufacture of a reproduction, become part of the permanent (exhibition/study only) collection. This happened earlier in the year. In researching some of the changes we wished to make in our interpretation at one of the Prairietown buildings, it was discovered by the chief curator that a piece of furniture in the bedchamber was a rare Pennsylvania piece. That artifact was then moved into the conservation lab, cleaned, and placed in storage in a climate controlled room. It is now exhibition only. No accession number had to be changed, only its permanent location.
In regards to accession numbers. All original pieces, regardless of being categorized as permanent or educational resource, are given the traditional number of the year and accession. For example, 69.1.1, 2003.48, etc. All reproductions are given a "CPM" number (CPM stands for Conner Prairie Museum). These numbers start at CPM.4000 and currently go to CPM.14300 and counting. numbers are sequential and tell us little other than that the objects are reproductions. All accessioned objects (regardless of whether they are original or reproduction) have document files, catalog cards, and computer files. They all require the same paperwork, i.e. proof of ownership, conservation/repair forms, research information, location, etc.
Our Education Dept. also has a few objects for their needs, however, 99% of there programming is done in cooperation with Collections. These few items are not tracked, and are used for Adventure Camp (CP's summer camp), Prairie Tykes (preschool program) and Headless Horseman (Halloween program). That does not mean they cannot borrow objects from the Collections Dept., but they are often more interested in process than interpretive setting and more modern materials can often suit their program's goal better.
If you have questions please call me or e-mail me.
Lana Newhart-Kellen
Registrar
Conner Prairie Living History Museum
13400 Allisonville Road
Fishers IN 46038
317-776-6000 ext. 251
317-776-6014 fax
>>> [log in to unmask] 11/11/03 10:08AM >>>
Our general museum (art, history, and science) is currently undergoing
strategic planning in an effort to formulate a long-range plan. My title
is Curator of Collections, and my role in this is to create a long range
plan for the Collections Department and the Exhibits Department and to help
with the Education Department.
My question is this. We already have an "Education Collection" which is
part of the Collections Department. The Education department also has
items that are used similarly but are not part of a "formalized
collection". Many of the items in both Departments are in essence the same
type of items. In my mind these items can be used in a variety of ways*
1) Hands-on items in Exhibits
2) Lab Rats for trying various "Conservation methods"
3) Theatrical Props in museum Educational programs
4) Interior decorating items for Foyers, lobby, hall ways, bathroom
walls, board room, dining room, research library, etc.)
5) Furniture
We have a Prospective donation form that we fill out when a donor wants to
give us an item(s) for our collection. Currently we give donors the option
of 1) only for the permanent collection, 2) any collection we see fit
(includes Education and permanent), 3) only for the Education collection,
and we do not record antying that goes to the Education Dept items. Would
you all give the donor this option?
What name do you think is appropriate to call these items? Education,
Prop, Study, Research, Conservation Collection? Should all of the items be
put in one collection or various collections dependent on the intended use
of the item?
One of our staff is against recording any background information for these
objects, as they contend that the object will be used up and the outcome
does not warrant the effort. Another staff member is for recording donor
info, brief description of the object and registering the object with an
identification number. The former staff member thinks this is
unnecessary. How much information do you folks record for these types f
artifacts?
Thank you in advance for all of your reactions!
Steven Stewart
[log in to unmask]
ps more info for people who wish to contact me off the list.
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