Open Forum

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

When borrowing objects (and these seem to be borrowed objects) you should care for them as if they are your own. Do you have any records of past loan forms? This might help you rectify the situation. I found a painting in our collection, that turned out it wasn't ours at all but had been loaned out and then forgotten about for roughly 20 years. I was able to go through loan forms and find the original form. I contacted the curator and we struck up a new loan for the piece. 

I have used social media to try to help us identify photos of people. We didn't get very far with it but it was fun and engaging. I'd be careful of publicly posting photos of objects though and asking who they belong to...it may lead to issues/bad comments. 

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

I have absolutely no record of them at all, no accession forms, no loan forms, nothing.  I've asked a past director (who is friendly with the museum - most are not or have passed) and this person did not know anything about them either.  

When borrowing objects (and these seem to be borrowed objects) you should care for them as if they are your own. Do you have any records of past loan forms? This might help you rectify the situation. I found a painting in our collection, that turned out it wasn't ours at all but had been loaned out and then forgotten about for roughly 20 years. I was able to go through loan forms and find the original form. I contacted the curator and we struck up a new loan for the piece. 

I have used social media to try to help us identify photos of people. We didn't get very far with it but it was fun and engaging. I'd be careful of publicly posting photos of objects though and asking who they belong to...it may lead to issues/bad comments. 

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

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Stephanie Koller
Registrar
West Overton Village and Museums
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So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

Just on Monday, we had an item that none of us could identify. Even our resident agriculture expert couldn't figure it. So we posted it out on all our social media accounts and found out what it was before supper time that night. I would say its pretty effecitve, especially if you have a large social media presence. Here is the link to our example: https://www.facebook.com/kandiyohicountyhistoricalsociety/photos/a.389987423104.159233.44341653104/10153831752183105/?type=3&theater

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

So in our storage area, we have a few objects that have been left at the museum from different "shows" as far as I can surmise.  I have no record of who brought them, how they got here, or when these shows took place.  They are just kind of here.  Here is the problem, we are cleaning our storage space and I would like to return them to their owners (if they can be found).  I would like to post photos on social media to see if anyone recognizes them.  Does anyone have any experience with this good or bad? Also, what am I obligated to do with these objects? Do I care for them even though they are not part of the collection?  ***Side note, these objects do not relate to the history of the museum or fit into our collections scope. 

------------------------------
Stephanie Koller
Registrar
West Overton Village and Museums
------------------------------