August 12, 2009
Collection Report of the MSA Museum Society
Presently the MSA Museum Society is preparing its collection to be moved out of its present space in the basement of the Clearbrook Library. The end of the lease has been extended to October 31, 2009, and at that time we will have to have the entire collection housed elsewhere. The transfer process has been taking place since last fall.
The MSA Museum Society is trying to maintain as much of the collection as possible but we find ourselves once again looking for a viable storage facility. The Reach Gallery and Museum will be assuming the role of stewards of part of the collection. Other community groups such as Clayburn Village Community Society and the Straiton Community Club will be retaining collections pertaining to and or previously from their areas. Much care has been taken during this process to best protect and maintain this community’s history and ensure its future.
There are some items that will not be reassigned to other museums and or communities and these items will be deaccessioned. We are trying our best to minimize this but over the last 40 years there has been deterioration of items as well as redundancy. We want to assure the entire community that the collection is being distributed with care and respect and that no item with historical context will be deaccessioned.
The Collection Policy of the MSA Museum Society as well as the British Columbia Museums Association are being followed. Objects are considered for deaccessioning if one or more of the following conditions apply:
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The object does not pertain to the history, ethnology, natural history or archaeology of the community
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The object has deteriorated to such an extent that it has no value for exhibit, research or study and cannot be preserved, given the resources available to the museum
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A duplicate or similar object is acquired that is in better condition and is more fully documented
On October 17, 2009, a sale of the items not being maintained within the collection will be held. More information will be available with the details of this sale. All proceeds will be used to continue maintaining and preserving the collection.
The MSA Museum Society is still a collecting society and we are working hard to develop and implement a 10 year vision which will include a facility to display our collection. Trethewey House Heritage Site will be housing collection pieces once again which means the usage of the house will be redefined to protect the contents.
If there are any concerns or questions please inquire through this website. We have made available to you, on this website, the Collections Policy of the MSAMS.
MSA Museum Collection
