Acquisitions Policy

2014

The Willington Historical Society seeks to enhance its collection through the acquisition of objects by purchase, gift, and bequest relevant to the Town of Willington, its history, and people. The Society values quality over quantity. The Acquisitions process is the responsibility of the Acquisitions Committee and the Executive Board. The Society will also acquire objects and materials for the purpose of educational programs, functions and exhibits, the sale or exchange to benefit the collection, or for study purposes. 

The Society will research the provenance of all proposed acquisitions and take every reasonable precaution to ensure that it can acquire a valid title. It will require a minimum provenance of documentation. 

Gifts will be accompanied by a Deed of Gift and/or other agreement (supplied by the historical society) which transfers ownership of the object from the donor to the Historical Society and outlines the terms and conditions of the gift.

Each acquisition proposal will include information about the object, material, date, donor, and a description of the importance to the collection. Condition reports providing authenticity of materials, condition, and cost factors relating to conservation, installation, and storage will be a factor.

The Acquisition Committee’s purpose is to collect, preserve, and provide public access to those documents and artifacts which are significant or potentially useful in advancing the understanding and experiences in the Town of Willington.

Deaccessioning Policy

The Willington Historical Society reserves the right to deaccession an object in their collection only after a careful review of its deaccessioning criteria. Some of the criteria might include:

  • Object in question may not fall within the mission of the Society

  • May be beyond the capability of the Society to maintain

  • May be a duplicate of other items in the collection

  • May not be useful for research, exhibition or educational programs in the future

  • Was originally acquired illegally or unethically

  • Subject to repatriation

  • Subject to donor restrictions the Willington Historical Society is no longer able to meet

Disposal options may include donation of object to another museum, library, or archive; exchange with another museum; use for school programs or research; repatriation, such as Native American objects; private sale; public auction; return to donor; or physical destruction.

List of Areas for Acquisition

Historical documents relating to Willington residents or property:

  • Genealogical information relating to Willington families

  • Historical information relating to the Glazier Tavern

  • Photographs of Willington residents, buildings, landscapes, roads

  • Willington schools

  • Willington churches

  • Willington town government

  • Willington mills

  • Willington glass

  • Other Willington businesses, including buttons, lumber, etc.

  • Photos of Willington Bicentennial Celebration

  • Photos of Memorial Day parades