Hi Micaela,
If the vehicle is 2023.2.1.A, I would recommend accessioning the ignition key as "2023.2.1.B" so that it is obvious the key is a "part" of the vehicle. If there are multiple keys – or other separate components to the vehicle – I would continue numbering them sequentially with letters (B is the first key, C is the second key, etc.).
I would also save all object-related documents in the Object File (or the Donor File if they are confidential). They do not need catalogued if they are saved in the corresponding Object or Donor Files. I view the documents you mentioned as relevant to the object's history and not necessarily useful as archival records. However, this does depend on how your Archives are set up. Ours functions as an institutional history, so it would not be helpful to have award certificates that pre-date the object's history at the museum.
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Rebekah Furey
Collections Manager
Conner Prairie Museum
Fishers IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-04-2023 03:44 PM
From: Micaela Knox
Subject: Cataloging Vehicle-Related Objects
Hi all,
I'm in the process of inventorying and updating the catalog of our vehicle collection. I had a question about what your institution would do with small objects with a relationship to a vehicle in the collection. In this case, I'm thinking about the ignition key for each vehicle.
Let's say that the vehicle's object number is 2023.2.1.
Do you count the key as a separate object in the collection with its own object number (2023.2.2)? Do you count it as a part of the vehicle, with the vehicle being the container of the key(2023.2.1b)? Do you even bother cataloging and inventorying it? How does this inform how you store the small object?
On the topic of keys, how would you catalog a key ring with multiple keys on it? Is the key ring a container? Is each key a separate object?
Thanks, all!
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Micaela Knox
Museum Coordinator
Model T Museum
Muncie IN
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