I missed the first message...but in response to comments from Children or
visitors in general concerning registration numbers on reproductions,
artifacts. etc. we also try to mark them in the most inconspicuous place.
However, when a person asks about a number on an item during a tour or
whatever, I find it to be the perfect opportunity to educate the public on
museum practice.  I believe that it is not only important to educate people
on the topic your museum/gallery/center is teaching but also what goes on
behind the scenes and why that is the case.  The more knowledge that we
dissiminate into the public about museum work and why we do things, the
less misconceptions and wrong ideas about our practices.

Steven Stewart
Curator of Collections
Customs House Museum and Cultural Center

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