I agree with you. That is why I speak of transparency and open discussion with the membership even when the final decision is made only by the governing board.



I agree that once there are actual or perceived unethical shenanigans the result is the implementation of procedures that make dealing with the collection difficult.


Similarly, when an organization gets around to writing a Collection Policy, it should look at the reality of what it should be doing and not as a way to explain "the co-founder's pet locomotive" or any other indiscretions.

One museum professional upon completing a MAP visitation years ago at Orange Empire sat the Board, Officers, movers-and-shakers, and others interested and did an initial oral review. He spoke of writing a Mission Statement and cautioned against writing one that would make us something like "the upper mid-west museum of everything in the world."

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In my travels I have come across an interesting collection situation -- it was at the Hays Truck Museum in Woodland, California. The Museum rationalized it's collection and sold off a number of vehicles; some of these were in poor shape and needed more restoration than the Museum could afford. One of the trucks was purchased by a member of its volunteer curatorial staff. This individual took the truck off-site and proceeded to restore the truck with the exception of acquiring a gas engine for it (none of the correct model are available). Upon the completion of the restoration the truck has been accepted on loan to the Museum for display. The truck was one manufactured by ALCO -- American Locomotive Company!!

i am a curator in a large museum. I think that there should be a lot of thought given by a lot of people before large artifacts such as rail cars are sent away.

There should be a collections or Acquissions/Deacquissions Committee that will make suggestions to the board of Trustees.

Both these groups tend to be made up of active volunteers at most of our museums.

Remember tht everything is not in the Core Collection. There can be items that are there because a number of members and the general public like the car or artifact.


For example, the Western Railway Museum has a boat car from Blackpool England. It has nothing to do with the western US but people love to ride that car. And it is a great hot weather summer car for the museum.


Yes, it should be hard to give away or sell major items in the museum's collection!

Ted Miles

Brian and Alexander:

Both of you are making good points. The Board should interact with the volunteers - and - the members should have a say in what stays and goes.

That being said, it's hard to rationalize the collection, but, as museum's and their members mature, it's happening more and more.

Jim

I find it fascinating that the Commission for the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad has recently voted to start developing a deaccession policy. No specifics have been approved at this time, but preparing it is as a result of communications with the FOCTS that the 150+ outdoor collection of freight cars and MOW equipment is beyond a reasonable size to maintain and/or preserve with available resources in funds and volunteers. History Colorado will be involved with its development.

Not a lot of detail is provided, but it is briefly discussed in this YouTube recording from May 7, 2026.
https://youtu.be/3r8PumDXVus

More discussion occurred on April 25/
https://youtu.be/3KngihGMSjo