Old Loans,Found in Collections and Inventories,Oh My

Abstract

Cultural institutions have struggled for decades with the issues of “old loan” and “found in collection” objects. During the 1980s, the museum profession in several states began to pass legislation to address the questions of legal title to these items. In 1991, Missouri passed the “Museum Property Act” (Chapter 184 Mo. Rev. Stat.) This article details that law, examples of its use in practice and efforts to amend the law as recently as 2012. Several specific illustrations come from the history and operation of the Missouri State Museum, which is also authorized by Chapter 184. The State Museum began a complete collections inventory in 2006 and came across several loaned and found in collection objects that fall under the Act. Using these examples and others from peer institutions, this article illustrates successes and challenges in the practical application of the law, including changing methods of communication, costs of the process and the need for inventories.