Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:47:09 -0600 Subject: Please circulate From: Andy Frank <andyfrank@wi.rr.com> Message-ID: <C7AAC23D.E1DA%andyfrank@wi.rr.com>
10 years ago the Wisconsin Historical Society suffered a devastating "inside
job" theft of their Native American collection. Only about 10% of the 300
items that were stolen have been recovered. Of course, no amount of
insurance could ever truly "replace" these things. The State Historical
Society's experience is also an excellent reminder of the importance of
keeping a photographic record of all museum accessions, both new and old.
Please circulate this amongst your Native American, historical society,
collector, pipemaker, flintknapper, academic, and museum circles in the hope
that these stolen objects will yet resurface.
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/collections/object-recovery.asp
Andrea Frank
Caretaker of Native American Collection
Mukwonago Historical Society Red Brick House Museum
on 2/17/10 1:11 AM, Andy Frank at andyfrank@wi.rr.com wrote:
> At the Mukwonago museum, we are investigating enhancing our insurance coverage
> specifically as it relates to our Native American collection.
>
> What insurance company does your museum use or recommend?
>
> Any ballpark figures about what insurance costs?
>
> Did you need to get a formal collection appraisal before getting insurance
> coverage for theft, fire or natural disaster losses?
>
> Do you have any contact information or recommendations of appraisers for
> Native American artifacts? (both lithics and material culture items such as
> beadwork, pottery, basketry, etc.)
>
> Any other comments/suggestions regarding collection insurance?
>
> (We are a private, nonprofit historical society museum and our collections are
> not owned by any body of local govenrment.)
>
> Thanks so much for your input.
>
> Andrea Frank
> Mukwonago Historical Society
> Red Brick House Museum