Museum Report Recommends Transfers of Historic Clothing, Art and Other Collection Items
A Smoky Hill Museum collections report recommends removing numerous garments, artworks and other objects from the permanent collection, with proposed transfers to historical organizations, theaters and educational institutions.
The September 10 Collections Committee report is included in the Arts & Humanities Commission’s October 21 packet. Recommendations cite insufficient documented history, limited relevance to Salina and Saline County, duplication or poor physical condition.
Many of the proposed removals involve dresses, gowns and accessories donated by Salina Community Theatre beginning in 1990. The report recommends transferring numerous pieces to a local theater or educational institution because their provenance—the documented history of the objects—and local relevance are insufficient.
Other clothing associated with Martha Jennie Culver Moss, a former Plano, Illinois, resident, is recommended for transfer to the Plano Historical Society. A cider press donated in 1982 is proposed for transfer to the Dickinson County Historical Society.
Four Asian paintings or textile hangings from the Maude Prescott collection are also recommended for removal because of poor condition. Staff propose attempting transfers to an Asian art museum, conservation school or another educational institution.
The recommendations describe formal removal from the permanent collection, known as deaccessioning. They do not establish that the proposed transfers have been completed.
The report also documents additions to the collection, including Miss Salina and Miss Kansas memorabilia, historic flood photographs, a 1918–1919 Saline County Treasurer check register and Salina baseball memorabilia. Other acquisitions include the “Festival Founding Mothers” film by Fili Creative and artist James Sherraden’s materials documenting creation of the River Festival’s 50th anniversary print.
Separately, the October staff report describes efforts to obtain missing Deeds of Gift for objects received in previous years. It does not identify how many files lack completed ownership paperwork.
The commission’s recommended action on the collections report is to receive and file it. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. October 21 at the museum, 211 W. Iron Avenue.
