Graduation Date
Summer 2018
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Applied Anthropology
Committee Chair Name
Mary Scoggin
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Marissa Ramsier
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Marisol Cortes-Rincon
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Museum studies, Collection management, Policy review
Subject Categories
Anthropology
Abstract
A museum exists and is defined primarily by its collection. It is therefore important for a museum to manage its collection effectively while preserving it for long-term use. The size and scope of the museum's collection will determine the complexity of its policy. As such, all museums, including small ones, need a well-defined Collection Management Policy (CMP). This policy outlines what and how to collect, defines the development and use of the collection as well as procedures for the care of the collection, the loaning of items and removing of items from the museum's collection. The Trinidad Museum, a small non-profit museum located in Trinidad California, has no such written policy. The mission of the Trinidad Museum is to collect, preserve and display the history and natural history of Trinidad. Because the Trinidad Museum lacks a CMP they have no standard procedures documenting on what, why and how the museum collects. This has, and without correction will continue to create administrative, legal and ethical problems. The goal of this project is to create a CMP for the Trinidad Museum. Evaluating the problems and needs of the Trinidad Museum the CMP will outline the museums purpose, the acquisition of items, the removal of items, loans, care of the collections, inventories and insurance. This document will provide the Trinidad Museum with a set of organized procedures to follow and a more stable foundation for museum management, which will also allow the easy transition of museum staff over time in the future.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Cox, Alexandra Mackay, "Stability for a small historic house museum: Drafting a collection management policy for the Trinidad Museum" (2018). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 198.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/198