California has two sets of laws that apply to abandoned/unclaimed property. The first is the Unclaimed Property Law, which is contained in the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), starting with Section 1500. It covers all businesses, etc. The second set is contained in the Civil Code (CC) and is sections 1899 to 1899.11. The second set was specifically enacted for museums. You will need to research what constitutes abandoned property and if your items fit into that definition. Then determine which set of laws you have to follow. My experience is the Civil Code sections are the best for museums.
Before I joined out Collections Dept, all loans were for an indefinite term and make no provision for items left after a load expires. the Civil Code sections are a great source for solving this problem. Now our longest incoming loan is 5 yrs.
Right now I'm working on a "verbal" donation of a jet engine. The owner, who had a hangar next to ours, and was moving out of his, donated a jet engine to the museum. Unfortunately no documentation was completed. In checking with person who with the museum then, have no
direct knowledge of the donation. I have one last step to accomplish and if successful, the engine is ours.
If you have any questions or need some help, feel free to contact me.
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Raymond Meyer
Safety-Security Manager
Aerospace Museum of California
McClellan, CA 95652
safety-security@aerospaceca.org------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2017 03:38 PM
From: Lisa Gioia
Subject: Ownership issue
Good afternoon, a museum colleague mentioned that there is documentation regarding ownership of artifacts, such that, if a facility, such as a museum has been in possession of items for a period of time - she mentioned 15 years, has cared for and maintained them, that there is a legal right to claim ownership of said items. If this is so, can someone please direct me to the document and/or information?
Thank you.
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Lisa Gioia
Director
Siskiyou County Museum
Yreka CA
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