One of the
responsibilities of my job is handling the artifact loans coming to my museum as
well as those going out from my museum.
Though the loan process does create a bit of paperwork for me, the
benefits of borrowing and loaning artifacts are worth it. By borrowing and loaning artifacts from other
museums, a wider range of objects can be displayed to the public. It is an excellent opportunity for studying
these artifacts and for creating beneficial partnerships with other museums. It also doesn’t hurt to have your museum’s
name in an exhibit at another museum!
One of the
NMCWM’s current loan requests is from the Musselman Library at Gettysburg
College. I was contacted last fall by
Natalie, who was a student there working on curating an exhibit on the history
of medicine. She inquired about our loan
conditions, and then came down to visit the museum and to identify some
artifacts which could possibly be borrowed for her exhibit.
Normally before
another museum can borrow any artifacts I need to see a document called a
facility report which provides me with detailed information about the exhibit
space and the display cases. I also need
an insurance certificate from the borrowing institution, even though many
artifacts couldn’t truly be replaced for any amount of money! Then I assess the requested artifacts to
ensure that they are in suitable condition for transport and display. Finally, I pass the list along to the
museum’s director for final approval.
Last week, I was
invited to visit the Musselman Library.
It was a good opportunity to view their exhibit space in person, as well
as to see their current exhibit. Since
Gettysburg is just a short drive from my museum, it was time to take a field
trip!
I had to take a picture of the Lincoln
bust on the main floor of the library!
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The artifact which
caught my eye is a potholder embroidered with two dancing African Americans and
the words, “Any holder but a slaveholder.”
I was told that a slave crafted this potholder from a Confederate
soldier's uniform, and that potholders like this one were sold in the North
during the Civil War to benefit the Union Army.
And of course I spotted a medical item! This is a document from the “Hospital for Colored Troops” at City Point, Virginia from 1864. |
We were all fascinated, and are grateful to
Lauren, Carolyn, and Natalie for taking the time to meet with us.
I can’t wait to
see the new exhibit, and how our artifacts are interpreted. I’m sure I’ll have another blog post for that
one!
Photos
courtesy of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Gettysburg College.
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