Robyne,

To answer your question, the wire backet is in fact part of our
permanent collection. Our collections cover all aspects of Baltimore
businesses, and we have over the years accessioned things from
steamrollers to bolts. 

Many of our exhibits actually attempt to recreate the setting in which
work was done (i.e. we have re-created a 19th century garment loft).
Previously, there was not as much of an effort made here to distinguish
between permanent collections and exhibit props. According to our
current collections policy, an item such as this basket would not likely
be formally accessioned. 

But of course, this basket was accessioned, and so we now are proceeding
with its formal deaccessioning. Our collections policy includes a
prioritized list of disposal methods for deaccessioned objects, each of
which must be considered in turn. Method one is placement in our
teaching (or exhibit prop) collection. If we do not desire to retain the
object for this purpose, we next offer it to other museums for use in
their permanent or exhibit collections. This, obviously, is where we are
now in the process. 

Thank you for your question! If you would like to know more about
deaccessioning, or if you have any questions about the BMI in general,
do not hesitate to contact me again.

Derek

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