Quote:
Originally Posted by NoBozo
I saw a model this past summer, that the NH Boat Museum has of the Mount Washington. It was a good model. I'm wondering: Is this (Auction) model the same model..?? Museums are free to sell whatever artifacts that have been donated to them ... to raize money.
It is very difficult to donate an artifact to a Museum... and stipulate that the Museum KEEP the artifact.  NB |
This last sentence is just plain wrong if true. The donation of an artifact needs to be treated as would any restricted asset. In the case of an artifact, it's a historical treasure to be held in the public trust. To sell the asset without the donor's explicit written consent is to betray a covenant with the public they claim to serve. It is also a betrayal of the agreement between the institution and the donor. Probably illegal, too.
Do not donate artifacts or money to museums that do this. Selling objects implies a disrespect for the mission. Being so needy suggests they are unsustainable so your $50, $100, or $500 donation is probably good money after bad.
If you gave an artifact to a museum you think was sold, let the Attorney General's office know. If a museum wants to accept stuff in the public trust and pivot to a resale, they are in noncompliance with the AG's granting exempt status and they need to know.