Common Collections Problems
No matter their size or budget, collecting organizations like museums and historical societies face some common problems.
We have found objects in our collection that we can’t identify.
Found in Collection (FIC) objects are present at every museum and collecting institution, regardless of their size or scope. Local historical societies can be especially burdened by mysterious collection objects because the collections were managed by many different volunteers or staff over time. Completing an inventory of your collection and checking against your organization’s records is a great way to start identifying FIC objects.
We have old loans that were accepted without proper documentation.
When dealing with old loans and found in collection objects, you’ll want to be very familiar with your state’s property laws as they relate to museum collections. Vermont’s Museum Property Laws, for example, state that loaned property, with an indefinite loan term, held for more than 10 years will be deemed to be abandoned. However, there are typically a series of steps that a museum must go through to attempt to notify the owner of the object.
Explore the resources at the bottom of this page for more on these common collections problems. More information on common problems will be added as we work with our 2025 Activating 21st Century Local History cohort and collect real-world examples.
