Once you've submitted this form, you can expect to receive a reply within two weeks.

Please read the following guidelines carefully before filling out the form, below.

Availability

Visits must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance and will be approved on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon Museum staff availability. Visits may be scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Collections are not accessible on weekends or after hours.

Supervision

All researchers and other visitors—whether novice or experienced—will be supervised. Visitors and researchers are not permitted into collections storage areas unattended. If objects in addition to those that have been provided are required, please inform the Museum staff. Objects will be returned to the collections by the staff.

Handling

Objects are to be handled in such a way as to ensure their integrity and safety, both now and in the future. If you are unsure how to handle an object, please ask a member of the Museum staff. No alterations of any kind may be made to objects or their labels (including pencil or chalk marks).

Damage

If you damage an object as you are working with it, you are required to inform a member of the Museum staff immediately, no matter how minor that damage may appear to be. Do not attempt to repair any damage on your own.

Documentation

It is imperative that the association between documentation (cards/labels/boxes) and objects is not compromised. If you think you may have mixed-up or misplaced objects and their documentation, please inform a member of the Museum staff. Do not “guess” which object goes with which label.

Safety and Security

Please abide by all safety procedures in the Museum, including locking doors and cabinets. Objects may never be left unattended in an unlocked room. Under no circumstances may an object leave the Museum unless it has been formally loaned to an institution.

Publications

We maintain a citation library and citation records. A reprint and PDF of any publication using our object(s) should be sent to the Museum, care of the Collections Curator.

Expertise

Please inform a member of the Museum staff if you note any pre-existing damage to an object, misclassification, outdated nomenclature, erroneous or missing data.

Media Usage

During the course of your visit, you are permitted to photograph Beneski Museum objects for personal use only. If you wish to publish digital or print images of Beneski Museum objects, you must submit a separate Media Use Request form.

Amherst College: Request for Research Visit

[Request for Research Visit]