Fort Vancouver National Historical Site: Museum Scope of Collection Statement

Richert, Samantha

Director's Order #24: NPS Museum Collections Management, requires each park to possess an up-to-date Scope of Collection Statement to " ... to identify the scope of collecting activities and define the purpose of the collection." This stand-alone museum planning document succinctly defines the scope of the park's museum collection holdings; at present and for the future. It is derived from the park's mission, as well as applicable laws and regulations pertaining to museum collections. The Scope of Collection Statement is the critical basis for managing museum collections-detailing what the park should collect, how many, and why. An up-to-date Scope of Collection Statement helps to ensure that the park's museum collection is relevant to, and supportive of the park's mission, resource management goals and objectives, and public service and stewardship responsibilities. It guides the park in the acquisition and management of those museum objects that contribute directly to the park's mission, as well as those additional collections that the Service is legally mandated to preserve. This guidance is particularly important as Fort Vancouver National Historical Site continues to act as the National Park Service's representative in fulfilling its role as the primary cultural resources manager in the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The museum management program at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) is currently responsible for curating approximately 1.8 million objects. According to the FY 2009 Collections Management Report (CMR), over 83% of the collection is cataloged. The collection is dominated by FOVA's internationally renowned historic archeology collection related to the Hudson's Bay Company sites managed by the park. Archeological research and excavations are an ongoing part of park programs and regularly generate material for accession to the museum collection. While archeological curation tasks are fairly stable, the park's historical collection is in flux. FOVA recently received a collection from the Mcloughlin Memorial Association, and the park has been asked to manage the Pearson Air Museum collection. Both tasks will require deaccession efforts, and portions of the park's own history collection are also eligible for deaccession. Museum management responsibilities are expected to increase even further as FOVA pursues development of a multi-park curation facility serving national parks in the Pacific Northwest.