City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 2, 2022 FROM: MUSEUM DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCESSION OF HISTORICAL OBJECTS INTO THE MUSEUM OF RIVERSIDE’S PERMANENT COLLECTION ISSUE:
Approve the accession of historical objects into the Museum of Riverside’s permanent collection.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve accession of historical objects into the Museum of Riverside’s permanent collection.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
At a hybrid special meeting on December 8, 2021, the Museum of Riverside Board, with eight of nine members present for this vote, unanimously agreed to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of fourteen Indigenous artifacts made by the Southwest Apache Tribes, Great Basin Indigenous Peoples, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Makah Tribe, Panamint Tribe, Pomo Tribe, Southern Paiute Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, and Washoe Tribe.
At a hybrid special meeting on December 8, 2021, the Museum of Riverside Board, with eight of nine members present for this vote, unanimously agreed to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of three artifacts relating to the then-named Riverside Theatre include two usher’s badges and one commemorative metal ticket.
At a hybrid special meeting on December 8, 2021, the Museum of Riverside Board, with eight of nine members present for this vote, unanimously agreed to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of a 1920s beaded silk dress and accompanying shoes with a Riverside provenance.
At a hybrid meeting on April 27, 2022, the Museum of Riverside Board, with seven members present for this vote and two vacancies, unanimously agreed to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of two Royal Crown Derby teacups and saucers and one sterling silver sugar sifter.
At a hybrid meeting on April 27, 2022, the Museum of Riverside Board, with seven members present for this vote and two vacancies, unanimously agreed to recommend that City Council approve accession into the permanent collection of forty-two photographic negatives on glass depicting Riverside-area subjects.
BACKGROUND:
In its Collections Development Plan, the Museum of Riverside (Museum) identifies areas for growth within its historical collections. The plan notes that “Through its collections, the Museum will seek to broaden the inquiry into the ways in which material culture defines a shared understanding of history, place, and identity.” DISCUSSION:
Historical objects deemed appropriate to accession into the permanent collection and that meet the goals of the Museum’s Collection Development Plan as interpreted by the Museum Collections Committee and Museum of Riverside Board include:
Fourteen Indigenous North American artifacts
Three artifacts relating to the then-named Riverside Theatre One 1920s beaded silk dress and one accompanying pair of shoes Two Royal Crown Derby teacups and saucers and one sterling sugar sifter Forty-two historic glass negatives
Explanations of the significance of the objects as additions to the Museum’s collection and photographs of the objects are in the Museum of Riverside Board reports, included as attachments. These artifacts have been acquired by donation in five lots from five private individuals.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The activities of the Museum of Riverside align with Strategic Priority No. 1 Arts, Culture and Recreation, specific programs and activities mentioned in this report support, in particular, Goal No. 1.1 (strengthening Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior, and lifelong learning programs and amenities), Goal No. 1.2 (enhancing equitable access to arts, culture, and recreational service offerings and facilities), and Goal No. 1.5 (supporting programs and amenities to further develop literacy, health, and education of children, youth, and seniors throughout the community).
Museum programs further support the Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being, specific goals supported by Museum programs and partnerships include Goal No. 2.3, which includes strengthening neighborhood identities, and Goal No. 2.5, which points to fostering relationships between community members and partner organizations.
Community Trust – New accessions to the permanent collection reaffirm community expectation that the Museum acquires, safeguards, and makes accessible artifacts and specimens that reflect Riverside’s many histories. Accession recommendations are informed by an advisory committee that includes community members.
Equity – New accessions to the permanent collection are prioritized to enrich the diversity of stories that the Museum is able to tell through its collection.
Fiscal Responsibility – New accessions are not recommended if they require immediate investments in costly conservation or storage adaptations.
Innovation – New accessions expand the palette of artifacts and specimens available to staff and program advisors, facilitating a wider and more inventive range of interpretation.
Sustainability & Resiliency – New accessions primarily address cultural sustainability and the Museum’s ongoing effort to expand its representation of all of the voices, neighborhoods, and ethnicities that make up the City and its environs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund associated with this report.
Prepared by: Robyn G. Peterson, Ph.D., Museum Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachment:
Museum Board Accession Recommendation Reports – December 2021 and April 2022 Museum of Riverside Board Minutes – December 2021 and April 2022 Museum accessions ● Page 2