Agreement - Studebaker National Museum

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NATIONAL MUSEUM Board of Public Works City of South Bend 227 West Jefferson South Bend, Indiana 46601 December 12, 2016 Dear Members of the Board, The Museum has received a request from the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to borrow the Marquis de Lafayette's Barouche from May 15, 2017 until November 15, 2017. The carriage is a significant artifact from the Original Studebaker Collection which the Museum manages for the City. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (Virginia) will be one of the most significant new museums to open in the past decade. The carriage will be the centerpiece of their first special exhibition; America After the Revolution which explores the newly formed United States through the Marquis' "Victory Tour" in 1824. The carriage, which Lafayette rode on his tour of our new nation, will be surrounded by significant cultural artifacts from around the country which were used to welcome the French hero of the American Revolution. The American Revolution Museum is the successor of the Yorktown Victory Center which draws more than 500,000 guests. In its inaugural year, the American Revolution Museum is projected to attract more than 1,000,000 visitors. The carriage will be featured at the center of the visitor experience as well as marketing and promotional materials and will incorporate prominent recognition of the Original Collection and the City of South Bend. This loan represents a remarkable opportunity for the Studebaker National Museum as well as the City of South Bend. As part of the Management Agreement the City has empowered the Museum to manage the Collection according to the rigorous American Alliance of Museums requirements for accreditation. Loaning objects is an accepted and encouraged practice of accredited institutions. In accordance with AAM Guidelines, the American Revolution Museum, which is already accredited by the AAM, has disclosed a full facility report which details security and safety standards which exceed all industry standards. The loan and transportation would be overseen by world-renowned conservator Brian Howard. According to the approved Museum Collections Management Policy, the Collections Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board of Trustees on the loan of this carriage. There have been a number of loans made from the Original Collection over the life of the Management Agreement. I write to disclose this potential loan to the Board of Public Works so that we may provide any additional information or complete any steps the Board deems necessary. We appreciate your continued support for the vital work of the Museum. 0P1'fOVED Board of Public worlsa Sincerely DEC Pat Slebonick Executive Director �'�