The Preservation Society of Newport County announced Wednesday a deaccession initiative aimed at strengthening its permanent collection by removing items that no longer align with the organization’s interpretive mission.
The initiative covers the organization’s wide-ranging permanent collection, which includes paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, silver, textiles, tapestries, photographs and period dress housed across its 11 historic properties. Items formally removed from the collection will either be transferred to other museums or nonprofits, or sold at public auction. The process has been underway since 2023.
“The Preservation Society has been fortunate to benefit from the generosity of generations of donors to our collections,” said Leslie B. Jones, director of museum affairs and chief curator for the Preservation Society. “We are grateful for their gifts as well as their support in this process as we serve our mission to care for and uphold the highest standards in collections practices.”
What is deaccessioning?
Deaccessioning — the formal, legal process by which a museum permanently removes an object from its collection — is a standard practice in the museum field. The Preservation Society said an object may be deaccessioned if it is a duplicate, inauthentic, in poor physical condition or no longer supports the institution’s educational mission.
The organization said it prioritizes keeping objects with a direct, documented historical connection to one of its properties. It cited the acquisition of a statue by Italian sculptor Pio Fedi original to The Elms, and bronze relief sculptures by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney — who resided at The Breakers — as examples of objects that meet its interpretive standards.
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and guided by standards set by the American Alliance of Museums, which accredits the organization.
What happens to donors?
In the coming months, donors or their next of kin whose objects are being deaccessioned will be contacted directly. Donors whose gifts remain in the permanent collection will not be notified.
The Preservation Society noted that returning objects to donors is not an option it pursues. Doing so could create tax complications for donors who claimed deductions when making their gifts, and would remove the objects from the public trust. The organization also confirmed that once a donation has been made, the donor or their next of kin has no legal authority to approve or object to a deaccession decision.
Where does the money go?
All proceeds from public auction sales must be deposited into the Preservation Society’s Collections Fund, which supports the direct care of collections and the acquisition of new items. The American Alliance of Museums strictly limits how deaccession funds can be used, prohibiting institutions from using such proceeds to address short-term financial needs.
The Preservation Society oversees 11 historic properties in Newport County, seven of which are National Historic Landmarks, spanning more than 250 years of American architectural and social history.
More information on the deaccession process is available at newportmansions.org/our-collections. Inquiries can be submitted to deaccessions@newportmansions.org.