1. Museum Property Overview
for
Interagency Committee of Property Managers
Ann Hitchcock, Chief Curator
National Park Service
January 26, 2006

2. What is museum property?
Personal property
Acquired according to rational scheme
Preserved, studied, interpreted for public benefit.

3. How is museum property classified?
Archeology
Art
Ethnography
History
Archives (documents, excluding official records)
Botany
Zoology
Paleontology
Geology
Environmental samples

4. 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

5. 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

6. Example of Evolving Authority National 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.

7. 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)

8. Example of Evolving Authority Department 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Acquisition Acquisition authority Scope of Collection Statement
Types of acquisitions
Gift
Purchase
Field Collection
Exchange
Incoming Loan (custody not title)

12. 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

13. Acquisition Documentation (continued)
Accession Receiving Report
Accession folder
Accession database
Accession documentation provides data on source, items acquired, type and terms of acquisition

14. 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

15. 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)

16. Deaccession Documentation
Deaccession book/log and numbers
Deaccession form for review and approval
Catalog records
Appraisals
Public notice
Deaccession database facilitates management

17. Deaccession Documentation (continued)
Disposition documents
Receipt for property
Report of survey
Exchange agreement
Transfer of property
Conveyance agreement
Repatriation agreement

18. Remember! Acquire carefully, according to plan.
Deaccessioning is more difficult and often controversial.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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)

22. National Park Service Museum Program
October 2, 2002
Remember!
Display ideas not things.
Capitalize on the power of context.

23. Resources: Guidance and Forms
NPS Director’s Order #24, Collections Management
NPS Museum Handbook, Parts I-III
DOI Museum Property Management Standards and Handbook (Departmental Manual Part 411)

24. More Guidance on the Web
NPS Conserve O Gram
NPS Automated collections management system user manual

25. NPS and DOI Museum and Collections Web Sites
Overview
Web Catalog
Harpers Ferry Ctr
Scientific Permitting and Collecting
Interior Museum Program

26. NPS Policies and Laws
Management Policies
Laws

27. National Park Service Museum Program
October 2, 2002
Contact Information
Ann Hitchcock
Chief Curator
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW (2202)
Washington, DC
Fax:

28. Museum Property is Our Heritage