Yes, many people have done research toward identifying
     the cost of curating collections in perpetuity.  The
     NPS even has a web site with information on that
     subject.  I don't think there's an accepted "industry
     standard" for this cost.

     IMHO, a museum manager would be making a large mistake
     to buy into such a concept.  We have collections left
     with us by the feds, which may be theirs or may be
     ours, 50 years ago.  A one time payment for storage in
     perpetuity leaves your successor(s) with a massive
     problem when they move to a new building, the cost of
     heat, lights and staff go up, etc.

     A much better course would be to establish the ongoing
     cost of management and renegotiate that periodically.
     The cost of storing a pound of arrowheads today,
     properly, including inventory, repackaging, moving it
     to the new building, and the like, is much more than it
     was in 1948, and much less than it will be in 2048.

     Chris Dill

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C. L. Dill, Museum Director
State Historical Society of North Dakota
612 East Boulevard
Bismarck  ND  58505-0830    USA
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Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/
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