On the Move: Museum Loans and the HMS Boxer Cannon

Guest Article by Holly Hurd-Forsyth, Registrar for the Maine Historical Society 

hotlinks added by Patricia Erikson

American warship Enterprise engaging HMS Boxer in 1813 off Monhegan Island (courtesy Library of Congress)

In 1894, the Maine Historical Society (MHS) loaned a British cannon to the City of Portland. We have good reason to believe that this is the same cannon recently loaned to the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath for their upcoming exhibit commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 (see the series of photos documenting its move here).  Negotiations continue between MHS and the City of Portland to settle the cannon-ownership question.  Loan? Question of ownership? You may not expect to see these terms associated with museums.

200+ year old cannon leaves storeroom

 

under City Hall staircase

In the words of Seneca, “There is no delight in owning anything unshared.” It might surprise people that this sentiment resonates in museums, thought by some as dim and dusty repositories where objects are locked up tight. In fact, most museums are willing and eager to share their collections on a short-term basis with other museums, and do so frequently. Active museum loan programs are a product of healthy collaboration between collecting institutions. The visiting public benefits by enjoying wider access to cultural heritage objects that they wouldn’t normally see.

British cannon leaves Portland City Hall, April 2012

At Maine Historical Society (MHS), there are currently 12 active loans and five pending loans to museums throughout Maine, the United States, and Canada. All categories of MHS collections are shared - from formal oil paintings and fine furniture, to manuscript letters, maps, and diaries. Even more humble, but no less fascinating, objects - from scratchy wool military blankets to flag fragments and inkwells - are sought after in museum loans. Although the history of lending collection items between museums is long, loans weren’t always carefully monitored in the past; informal transfers were more the norm.

Cote Crane & Rigging lifts HMS Boxer Cannon

A loan lasting 118 years (as is the case with the British cannon) is unusual, of course. Most loans now last a year or less. In today’s professionally-managed museum, loans are carefully vetted and tracked. Facility reports are reviewed, insurance coverage obtained, and paperwork exchanged – all to ensure the objects’ safe return to its home institution. - H.H.F.

**For additional photos and an interview with Holly, see the recent Press Herald article. If you would like to see the cannon, plan on visiting the exhibit Subdue, Seize and Take: Maritime Maine in the Unwelcome Interruption of the War of 1812 at the Maine Maritime Museum opening May 26, 2012. Also, self-professed history geeks are welcome to read "Enemies at Sea, Companions in Death" or schedule a tour with Spirits Alive to visit the Captains' graves in Eastern Cemetery. For another guest article about a reappearing cannon, see Donald Soctomah's guest article here.