[BCMA] Question: Lock of Hair

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hello everyone,

 

The Oliver & District Heritage Society has been completing an inventory of
its collections, and we have found an unusual item. The item is a lock of
human hair (not woven into a wreath) that was accessioned as an artifact.
The hair was donated to us from the estate of a local resident and early
settler in the community. It is his mother's hair, which he had kept as a
memento. 

 

We are wondering if other museums have come across similar items, and how
they dealt with them. Are there any legal issues surrounding keeping or
disposing of the hair? We cannot think of a reason to keep it in our
collection, and would like to dispose of it in a respectful way. 

 

Thank you for your assistance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Julianna Weisgarber,

Collections Manager

Oliver and District Heritage Society

778-439-3100

collectionsmgr at oliverheritage.ca <mailto:collectionsmgr at oliverheritage.ca> 

 

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