museum property overview for interagency committee of property managers ann hitchcock, chief curator...

Museum Property Overview

for

Interagency Committee of Property Managers

Ann Hitchcock, Chief Curator

National Park Service

January 26, 2006

What is museum property?

• Personal property

• Acquired according to rational scheme

• Preserved, studied, interpreted for public benefit.

How is museum property classified?

• Archeology• Art• Ethnography• History• Archives

(documents, excluding official records)

• Botany

• Zoology• Paleontology• Geology• Environmental

samples

Personal or Museum Property?

• Personal and museum property can look the same (e.g., a chair)

• Determination depends on

– Agency mission and authority

– Function of the property

– Long-term preservation goals

Agency Mission and Authority

• Is a museum function identified in authorizing legislation?

• Does a museum function support the agency mission?

• How might an agency establish a museum function where none exists?– Seek authorizing legislation– Add to mission statements and plans

Example of Evolving AuthorityNational Park Service

• 1904 Yosemite establishes first park museum collection

• 1906 Antiquities Act authorizes President to establish national monuments and protect objects of historic or scientific interest

• 1916 NPS Organic Act establishes NPS to conserve scenery and natural and historic objects..therein…and provide for enjoyment of future generations.

Example of Evolving Authority(NPS continued)

• 1935 Historic Sites Act authorizes NPS to establish and maintain museums

• 1955 Museum Act authorizes donations, bequests, exchanges, loans

• 1996 Museum Act amendment authorizes transfer, conveyance, and destruction (but not sale)

Example of Evolving AuthorityDepartment of the Interior

• Bureaus with varying authority– NPS– DOI Museum– Indian Arts and Crafts Board– USGS

• 1990 IG audit of accountability and control over artwork and artifacts

Example of Evolving Authority(DOI continued)

• 1990 DOI asks NPS to lead response to audit

• Interior museum property committee established

• 1993 Departmental Manual established standards for managing museum property

– Planning and reporting

– Documenting acquisitions and disposals, preserving, and protecting

Museum Plans and Reports • Scope of Collection Statement• Collection Management Plan• Housekeeping Plan• Integrated Pest Management Plan• Emergency Operations Plan• Collection Condition Survey• Required Reports

– Collection Management Report– Checklist for Preservation and Protection– Annual Inventory

Acquisition

• Acquisition authority• Scope of Collection Statement• Types of acquisitions

– Gift– Purchase– Field Collection– Exchange– Incoming Loan (custody not title)

Acquisition Documentation

• Accession book/log and accession numbers• Ownership transfer document (signed by

parties)– Deed of Gift– Purchase document– Exchange agreement

• Custody document– Receipt for property (field collection)– Loan agreement

Acquisition Documentation(continued)

• Accession Receiving Report

• Accession folder

• Accession database

• Accession documentation provides data on source, items acquired, type and terms of acquisition

Cataloging• Catalog numbers for all items• Cataloging in lots acceptable for certain

similar items• Catalog record provides

– Identification – Physical data– Historical data

• Catalog database facilitates management and research

Disposal (Deaccessioning)• Deaccessioning authority• Scope of Collection Statement• Types of deaccessions

– Return to rightful owner (legal opinion required)– Loss, theft, damage, involuntary destruction– Outside scope (transfer, exchange, conveyance,

voluntary destruction/abandonment)– Destructive analysis– NAGPRA compliance (repatriation)

Deaccession Documentation

• Deaccession book/log and numbers

• Deaccession form for review and approval

• Catalog records

• Appraisals

• Public notice

• Deaccession database facilitates management

Deaccession Documentation(continued)

• Disposition documents– Receipt for property– Report of survey– Exchange agreement– Transfer of property– Conveyance agreement– Repatriation agreement

Remember!

• Acquire carefully, according to plan.

• Deaccessioning is more difficult and often controversial.

Preservation• Monitor and control the environment

– Temperature– Relative humidity– Light– Pests– Air quality

• Ensure good housekeeping• Assess and document condition of items• Provide conservation treatment for items

Protection

• Secure storage and exhibit spaces

• Control access to museum spaces and museum property

• Establish emergency management plan

• Install and maintain fire detection and suppression systems

Access and Use

• Ensure public benefit

• Provide exhibits and publications

• Offer education programs

• Provide outgoing loans

• Provide access for researchers

• Consider legal issues (copyright, FOIA, reproductions)

Remember!

• Display ideas not things.

• Capitalize on the power of context.

Resources: Guidance and Forms• NPS Director’s Order #24, Collections

Management http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DOrder24.html

NPS Museum Handbook, Parts I-III http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/handbook.html

• DOI Museum Property Management Standards and Handbook (Departmental Manual Part 411) http://www.doi.gov/museum/policy.htm

More Guidance on the Web

• NPS Conserve O Gramhttp://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/conserv.html

• NPS Automated collections management system user manualhttp://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/publications/ancs.html

NPS and DOI Museum and Collections Web Sites

• http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum Overview• http://www.museum.nps.gov Web Catalog• http://www.nps.gov/hfc Harpers Ferry Ctr• http://science.nature.nps.gov/research/ac/

ResearchIndex Scientific Permitting and Collecting

• http://www.doi.gov/museum/program.htm Interior Museum Program

NPS Policies and Laws

• Management Policies http://data2.itc.nps.gov/npspolicy/index.cfm

• Laws http://data2.itc.nps.gov/npspolicy/getlaws.cfm

Contact Information

Ann Hitchcock

Chief Curator

National Park Service

1849 C Street, NW (2202)

Washington, DC 20240-0001

202-354-2271 Fax: 202-371-2422

ann_hitchcock@nps.gov

Museum Property is Our Heritage