Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2010

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Does the Board of Regents approve the loan of items from the State Library’s George Washington Collection to the North Carolina Museum of History?

Reason for Consideration

Required by Commissioner’s Regulation § 92.1 (f)

Proposed Handling

              The question will come before the Cultural Education Committee for consideration at its April 2010 meeting, where it will be voted on and action taken. 

Background Information

Under §92.1(f) of the Commissioner’s regulations, manuscripts in the custody of the State Library may be loaned to other museums upon terms and conditions set forth in an agreement between the Department and the institution requesting the loan.  The loan of certain items, including Washington Relics, also require the prior approval of the Board of Regents.

The North Carolina Museum of History has asked to borrow three items that are part of the New York State Library’s George Washington Collection. They would like to include these artifacts in an exhibit on George Washington in North Carolina, which will take place in conjunction with The Real George Washington exhibit from the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association from Sept. 10, 2010--January 21, 2011. Their exhibit will emphasize Washington's activities as a surveyor and also his relationship with Lafayette, who made an 1825 tour of North Carolina.

For more information on the exhibit go to:  http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/ 

The 3 items they would like to borrow are:

• Pistol from Lafayette
• Rittenhouse compass
• Surveying equipment including:
• • Surveying chains
  • Tripod
  • 6 pins or “chaining arrows”
  • Circular protractor with cloth case
  • Parallel rule
  • Gunter’s scale
  • 2 sectors
  • Pocket case of drawing instruments
  • Spirit level with shagreen case

The North Carolina Museum of History has provided information on their environmental conditions and security and we believe our artifacts will be well protected. 

This is a good opportunity to showcase these items and thereby promote our collections.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve this loan.

Timetable for Implementation

              If the Board of Regents approves this loan, Department staff will make the necessary arrangements with the North Carolina Museum of History.