Because Ripon College has its own archives and its own museum, the Ripon Historical Society does not collect items more appropriate for the College’s collections. The Society, however, does keep college-related materials which Ripon College does not include in its archives; for example, information pertaining to individuals and families employed at Ripon College. Since the Society and the College have adopted the practice of exchanging materials more suitable for the other’s archives, we accept college-related records and artifacts only when this is understood by the donor.

Since the Ripon Historical Society is affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society, we employ a similar practice with regard to records and artifacts of special interest to the State as a whole. Rare or fragile items in this category are offered to the State Society so that they may receive expert care and be enjoyed by more people. We also put donors in touch with other local societies and museums throughout the State if their gifts are more suitable for other localities.

The Society keeps materials belonging to clubs and organizations from the dates of their inception to twenty years prior to the present year. The Ripon Public Library provides files to house current materials of clubs and organizations.

The Society may choose not to accept items which are inappropriate to our mission, which are in poor condition, which duplicate similar items in the collection, or which are not contemporary with the time period they represent; for example, reproductions.

Curators of collections or their delegates are authorized to approve acceptance of gifts. The Curators may refer questionable donations to the Executive Committee for a final decision.

All items accepted for the collections must be catalogued unless otherwise noted. All acquisitions must be recorded on gift forms signed by the donor and an authorized Curator or a delegate of the Society. Both the donor and the Society will have signed copies of the gift forms for their files.

Donations are tax deductible under Section 501c(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Donors are responsible for arranging and paying for their own appraisals.

Unrestricted gifts or purchases are preferred. Any conditions or restrictions on a gift must be made in writing on the accession forms and signed by the donor and the Curator or delegate.  The Society does not sell any items from its collection without the expressed consent of the

donor. If prior consent has been given, the Society may dispose of unwanted items by giving them to other historical societies and libraries, by selling them, or by discarding them. When this is done, care is taken to remove identifying names and addresses. In case of the sale of accepted items, all funds generated are used for the benefit of the collections.

The Society does not promise to display all gifts at all times. Exhibits are rotated from time to time making it necessary to put some things in storage. Stored items are normally available for viewing on request of the donor.

The Society may lend items for specifically designated short periods and for exhibit and educational purposes. Clothing is loaned for display and is not to be worn. Requests for loans must be approved by the Curators and are subject to review by the Executive Committee when deemed advisable by the Curators. Approved items must by signed out in the notebook titled “Loans,” which is on the shelf over the desk in the Society office.

The Society also accepts some items on loan for limited time periods as long as it is understood that these items may be used for purposes of research or displayed along with the Society’s own collections. If not reclaimed after expiration of the loan period, items on loan will become the property of the Society.

Normal precautions are taken to protect all holdings, but only Pickard House is equipped with fire and burglar protection. The archives are as fireproof and burglarproof as we can make them. Donors, however, must accept a certain risk whenever loans or gifts are accepted.

LIBRARY COLLECTIONS POLICY

A listing of library books, which are catalogued by subject, author, title, and location, may be found in the Locator File on the Library shelves or in the PastPerfect software program on the computer. All acquisitions are identified with an accession number, location, donor’s name, and a brief description of the book, when appropriate. Books, with the exception of duplicate copies, are to be used in the Society rooms and do not circulate.

The Ripon Historical Society is interested in enlarging its library collections in the following areas:

          Books by Riponites

          Books, pamphlets, and articles about Ripon and Riponites

          County and regional histories of east-central Wisconsin

          Environmental studies of the Ripon area

          General studies of the Territory and State of Wisconsin

          Reference and technical books appropriate to small historical societies

                   and museums

The library also would like to add to its special collections in the following areas:

Local cookbooks

          The origins of the Republican Party

Books on Ripon, Yorkshire, and Ripon, California

Experimental communities and social reformers of the nineteenth century

          Nineteenth and twentieth century books explaining “proper behavior”

Nineteenth and twentieth century books dealing with activities, hobbies, and games of

young people

 ARTIFACTS COLLECTION POLICY

The Ripon Historical Society is interested in enlarging its collections of artifacts which contribute to our understanding of Ripon’s history. To this end, the society welcomes for consideration the following categories of objects:
 

          Artifacts from Ripon’s businesses

          Artifacts from specific historically significant events such as celebrations

          Artifacts related to Ripon traditions and customs

          Items manufactured in Ripon

          Furnishings, personal artifacts, tools, equipment made or used by Riponites

          Products and tools of Ripon artisans and artists and local Native Americans

          Personal artifacts: adornments (except jewelry of considerable value)

                                    clothing (particularly men’s and children’s clothing)

                                    everyday clothing for school, homemaking, or work

                                    clothing with a Ripon-related known history

                                    personal gear

Because of the residential character and the eras of our buildings and their limited storage space, the Society usually limits its acquisition of artifacts in quantity and quality to a representative sampling of Ripon’s heritage. The collection of most farm and industrial machinery, vehicles, structural and natural history artifacts are not within our capabilities.

All artifacts accepted for the Society’s permanent collection are catalogued by category using the AASLH museum cataloging system and identified by an accession number which is attached to the artifact. Records for the artifacts are kept in a file cabinet and are listed in PastPerfect, our museum software program. Separate records are kept of the donors and their gifts. Each donor has a unique number which is part of the accession number.

The Society attempts to maintain the artifacts collection in good condition within the limitations of its museum environment, expertise, and volunteer workforce.

ARCHIVAL COLLECTION POLICY

The Ripon Historical Society collects and preserves printed, manuscript, and pictorial records, recordings and films relating to Ripon, its people, and its environs. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

          Environmental records, surveys, and maps

          Records of the built environment, including archaeology

          Public records (federal, state, and local) specifically relating to Ripon

          School records, public and private, K through 12

          Church records (selective and particularly those of defunct organizations)

          Business records (selective and particularly those of defunct organizations)

          Club and organization records prior to the last twenty years

          Records of notable events in Ripon’s history

          Family and individual records

          Records of the Ripon Historical Society

Archival materials, when appropriate, are catalogued and identified with accession numbers. A Locator File of archival collections is kept in the Archives and in the Library and is available to the public. All archival holdings also are catalogued in the computer in PastPerfect, a museum software program. Items such as individual pictures, postcards, greeting cards, clippings, and brochures may carry donor’s name or number but as a rule are not accessioned individually. They are filed as collections in folders and boxes according to subject or family.

Pictures and records are available for public use. They may be examined in the museum and copied (if practical) with permission of the Curator. Pictures and records may be taken from the museum only with the written permission of the Curator or delegate and must be entered into the notebook for “Loans,” which is located on the shelf over the desk in the Society office. Extended loans of pictures and archives are approved by the Executive Committee and are only for specifically designated time periods and only for the purpose of exhibition or research.