Closing a House Museum: From Lemons to Lemonade

American Association for State and Local HistoryRichmond, VirginiaSeptember 14/15, 2011

Thompson MayesDeputy General CounselNational Trust

Speakers

James Vaughan, Historic Site Consultant

Tom Mayes, Deputy General Counsel, National Trust

Cindy Boyer, Director of Museums and Education, Landmark Society of Western New York

Ken Turino, Manager of Community Engagement and Exhibitions, Historic New England

Preservation Success

Lemons

Robert E. Lee Boyhood Home

Lemons

Carter’s Grove Plantation

Carter’s Grove Plantation

Lemonade

Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities

Historic House Closedown Checklist Introduction. This Historic House Closedown Checklist was developed by

the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a quick tool for organizations to use when considering the future of a historic site that has been open to the public. The intent is to provide a summary of the considerations that an organization may need to assess before, during and after making a decision to close a historic house. In all cases, consultation with qualified legal, accounting and site professionals is strongly encouraged as the organization considers the future of a historic house.

I. Site Assessment

A. Finances

1. Endowment

• Restricted/Board Designated

Closedown Checklist

ASSESSMENT

Closedown Checklist

• Strengthen/Continue Operations

• Mothball or Stabilize the Site

• Transfer to Another Institution/Keep Open to the Public

• Close to the Public but Retain Site for Different Purpose

• Close to the Public/Transfer the Site to Private Ownership

Assessment of Options

Legal Considerations – Casa Amesti

Legal Considerations

A. Gather information about legal status of assets

1. Is real estate restricted or held in trust

2. Are objects in the collection restricted or held in trust

3. Are funds restricted or held in trust

B. Legal Standards

1. What will state/local law require in the disposition of assets?

2. What Process is Required?

Ethical Standards

www.aaslh.org/ethics

 

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Ethical Standards

What do applicable ethical standards require for the organization in treatment of assets?

1. American Association of Museums

2. American Association for State and Local History

3. Land Trust Alliance

Transparency and Consultation

" Colonial Williamsburg officials announced today that historic Carter’s Grove Plantation will be put up for sale, but not until federal and state agencies agree on how to protect the 18th century mansion from commercial and residential development. The home, built in the mid-1700s, sits on 400 acres fronting on the James River. It has 35 rooms. The property is about eight miles from Williamsburg on U.S. 60. Colonial Williamsburg officials will work with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the state Department of Historic Resources to assure that the property will be fully protected when offered for sale."

Full story: pilotonline.com Contributed by: eCultural Resources

Consultation

• Transfer to organizations with shared/related mission

a. Museum collections to other museums

b. Real Estate to be kept open to the public

c. Transfer for other related purposes, such as land conservation

• Consideration of Easements/Protective Covenants for Significant Real Estate

Protections for Assets that Should be Protected

Protecting Assets

• Appropriate Disposition of Financial Assets/Proceeds

a. Expenses of Close-down/Transfer

b. Easement endowment

c. Other Mission Driven Purposes

d. Other Public Purposes (other organization)

Endowment/Proceeds

Preservation Success