[NHCOLL-L:2601] RE: questions

[Shirley S Albright]

Hi Kelly,

We've gone around and around on the issue of catered events in exhibit 
halls...especially since our building was not built with reception 
spaces in mind.    For some time, we even had a dual system which 
allowed catered affairs in the natural history halls but not in the fine 
art or history spaces.   We have finally convinced everyone that needed 
convincing that natural history specimens are just a vulnerable to 
damage from food, drinks, and insects as everyone else's objects.   We 
do not allow food/drink/flowers/open flames in any of our exhibition 
spaces.    If something CAN go wrong, it will....even with contracts in 
place and seemingly informed caterers.

As our financial and human resources dwindle, we can no longer use any 
of those resources to either repair or replace objects, cases, flooring 
materials etc. that can arise from catered event accidents.   Accidents 
happen, but we are trying to minimize their effects.   The worse period 
we had was immediately following our change of heart.   Many of our 
supporters were used to another set of standards.   We did get some 
complaints, but we had developed a "recipe" for responding to defensive 
Friends and visitors which helped staff avoid that "deer in headlights" 
response when challenged by some rather influential constituents, 
including legislators.

As far as the valuation of dioramas for insurance purposes, the whole is 
definitely worth more than the sum of its parts.  You won't get a true 
value for the diorama if you just tally up the individual objects, 
because in a great diorama, the fauna and flora associations and their 
illustrated interrelationships with environment have, in my opinion, 
value as well..   The artwork is a bit easier to get an appraisal on.   
Then there is the casework, the lighting, and associated graphic panels 
or explanatory text   It all adds up to big money....more so, if any 
conservation efforts are added to the mix.

There seems to be a dual approach to insuring endangered or extinct 
species.  Some folks believe that since they are irreplaceable, they 
have no insurance value.    Others feel they do.    As far as I know, no 
consensus exists on this question. 

I'll be interested in hearing more on this subject from subscribers to 
this list.

Good luck!
Shirley Albright
    

Kelly.Goulette at dmns.org wrote:

> Greetings All,
> I have a couple of questions and I could really use your help.  Please 
> let me know if you can speak to either or both of these:
>
>     * Valuation of dioramas for insurance purposes.  Our risk manager
>       is requesting that we calculate replacement values of our
>       dioramas (background murals, taxidermy mounts, foregrounds,
>       etc).  Have you calculated similar values recently?  What method
>       did you use?  How did you address the value of threatened,
>       endangered, or extinct species?
>
>     * Policies for hosting catered events in exhibit halls.  What are
>       your institution's policies or established practices for hosting
>       catered events in exhibit halls?
>
> Many thanks,
> Kelly
>
>
> Kelly Goulette
> Director, Preservation & Documentary Resources
> Denver Museum of Nature & Science
> 2001 Colorado Boulevard
> Denver, CO  80205
> USA
> direct:  303-370-6401
> fax:  303-331-6492
> email:  kgoulette at dmns.org
>
>
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