Research & Collections
Visiting the Collections
Collections Access Policy
The Museum attempts to comply with all legitimate requests for access to collections, but the collections are not open for random browsing. For the security of the collections, the Museum limits access to curatorial and other appropriate staff personnel and to authorized visitors.
Authorized visitors are individuals or groups who have serious research interests in the collection and are qualified to make use of them for the purposes requested. The appropriate Curator is responsible for arranging the time, place and locations for access to the collections and will arrange supervision for authorized visitors granted access to the collections.
The Museum requires a copy of any resulting publication or thesis, if material from the collections is used as an integral or major part of the research. Please credit material used in publications to the Frank H. McClung Museum, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Access to Archaeological Site Files
The Museum retains an older version of the archaeological site files for the State. New entries to these files ceased in the 1990s. The State Division of Archaeology in Nashville maintains the up-to-date site files for the State. Information about the State DoA office can be found here: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/arch/.
Professional archaeologists are welcome to review the older files held by the Museum. Please contact the Museum’s Graduate Assistant in Archaeology via the Museum office to schedule an appointment: (865) 974-2144.
Arranging your visit
Approval Protocol: The protocol for gaining approval for professional visits to the research facilities and collections of the Frank H. McClung Museum requires professionals with bona fide research interests to contact the appropriate Curator.
The Museum’s Curators, their areas of responsibility, and contact information are:
- Dr. Gary Crites, Curator of Paleoethnobotany (archaeological botanical collections, modern comparative seed/fruit collections, and Quaternary plant macrofossils)
Email: gcrites@utk.edu
- Mr. Gerald Dinkins, Curator of Malacology (comparative and archaeological collections of freshwater mollusks)
Email: biodink@frontiernet.net
- Dr. Lynne Sullivan, Curator of Archaeology (southeastern U.S. archaeological
and bioarchaeological collections, North American ethnology collection)
Email: lsulliv2@utk.edu
- General Collections
Email: museum@utk.edu
All curators may be reached by phone via the Museum’s main office: (865) 974-2144.
Making a Request: When requesting professional visits, please provide the following information:
- name
- institutional affiliation
- dates of visit, and
- purpose of visit.
The purpose of visit statement should be a brief (1-2 page maximum) proposal that:
- identifies the specific types of materials to be used;
- explains the reason for the proposed use (e.g., if for scholarly research, the questions the research is addressing);
- the proposed method of study (e.g., measurements, simple inspection, etc.). If photography or sampling (i.e., destructive analysis) are being requested, please see the relevant sections below.
If the applicant for access is a student, a letter of support from a faculty advisor must accompany the request.
Requests may be submitted by e-mail, fax, or mailed letter of request. A Request for Access to Collections Form may be used for simple requests. The Museum’s fax number and mailing address may be found on this form and on the Museum’s home page.
When a request is granted, the user will be asked to sign an Access to Collections Guidelines form.
Scheduling: The Museum can accommodate only a limited number of visitors. At times, parts of the collection will be inaccessible or staff unavailable to assist visitors. To avoid disappointment, visitors are advised to request an appointment at least two weeks in advance.
Please note that the collections are not open on weekends or State holidays. Access is provided only during regular staff working hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
The Museum’s collections are stored at two locations: in the museum building on the UT downtown Knoxville campus and at the Middlebrook building several miles away. If at all possible, requested materials at the Middlebrook building will be brought to campus for use. Please note that doing so may require additional lead time and users may be assessed transportation charges.
Arriving at the Museum: Please find a map and directions to the Museum, as well as parking instructions, via links on the Museum’s home page. Arrangements for extended parking (more than 2 hours) can be made after your arrival.
Upon arrival, inquire at the front desk for the location of the office of the staff member who is to help with your visit. If you find that you will be unavoidably late (more than 1 hour), please call to inform the staff member: (865) 974-2144.
Photocopying: The Museum has an in-house photocopy machine that may be used by scholarly visitors, if copying of records is approved by the relevant curator. A per page charge may be assessed. Some records are available in digital format and may be copied to electronic media, with curator approval.
Photography: Photographs of artifacts in the collections may be taken only with staff permission, given time and space limitations. The Museum reserves the right to limit views taken if the objects are judged to be fragile, and photography and handling would cause damage. Visitors must provide their own photographic equipment. The Museum has only limited lighting and copy stands for photography.
Such photographs are for personal and research use only. Clearance for any other use, including scholarly publication, exhibition, electronic transmission, or general distribution in any medium, must be secured by submitting a written request to the attention of the Curator, and will be evaluated by staff on a case-by-case basis.
Orders for professional publication-quality prints, transparencies, and digital images may be placed with the Museum’s Photographer. Information about the Museum’s photographic services, photo policies, and fee schedules can be found via the “Image Use Policy” link on the Museum’s home page.
Sampling: Any destructive analysis must be proposed well in advance and be approved by the Museum. Such requests must be submitted to the appropriate Curator and will be reviewed by relevant staff and the Director. The Museum also may request counsel from outside experts.
Sampling proposals generally are evaluated according to the following criteria:
- The research proposal is sound;
- The use of McClung Museum collections in lieu of others is justified;
- The analytical methods proposed should yield the intended results, and are the least intrusive analytical means of obtaining those results;
- The proposed analyst is qualified to perform the work;
- The amount of sample and number of specimens requested is necessary to obtain accurate results;
- Each specimen can be safely sampled without damage or defacement or the preclusion of future study or analysis;
- The degree to which any proposed destructive sampling affects the specimen is minimal;
- The samples will be returned so they can be retained for future use; and
- The probability of receiving analytical results from the researcher is high.
The Museum may approve, table, or disapprove any sampling request based on the above criteria. Requests are generally tabled if the Museum feels there is insufficient information on which to base a decision. The Museum may request more information, research, or further analysis before a final decision is made. The conditions under which sampling may be permitted will be specified by the Museum if a request is approved. Photographic documentation of the object to be sampled is required for all sampling. In addition, analysis results or a copy of the publication containing these results are to be submitted to the Museum for the permanent record.
The following information must be included in all requests to sample an object:
- Date of sampling request;
- Type of sample requested (include materials, culture, other pertinent information);
- Requester name, address, phone number, e-mail address;
- Purpose of analysis (attach a formal proposal or a statement describing the proposed research methodology and expected analytical results);
- Type of analysis to be performed (destructive or nondestructive to the objects);
- Number of samples taken;
- Sample size or weight (each sample);
- Location where the analysis will be performed (Name of institution and contact information);
- Date when the sample will be returned (if applicable);
- Catalog number and description of each object
In addition, sampling requests should include a formal statement that elaborates on Item 4, "Purpose of Analysis," by describing the proposed research methodology and sampling procedure, as well as expected analytical results. These materials will be reviewed and discussed by Museum staff.