Movable Heritage

Objectives

Our objectives are as follows:

to conserve the heritage values of Fremantle Prison insofar as those values are expressed in its movable heritage – especially, but not exclusively, its OUV
to tell the story of Fremantle Prison through its movable heritage – especially, but not exclusively, its OUV
to adhere to a collections policy that is determined in the first instance by Fremantle Prison’s assessed heritage values
to acquire objects in an ethical manner and in compliance with all legal requirements
to acquire objects in a sustainable manner (having regard to budgetary, conservation and storage considerations), including through purchase, donation, gift or archaeological investigation
to maintain a collection of objects at Fremantle Prison that is a valuable teaching and learning resource about the place’s heritage values
to manage Fremantle Prison’s movable heritage using high quality and appropriately resourced storage, physical conservation and exhibition facilities
to manage the collection of objects at Fremantle Prison, showing regard for the themes identified in the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Policy’ (March 2016), prioritised to reflect those historical themes expressed in (i) the WHL’s Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, (ii) the assessment of heritage values presented on the NHL, (iii) the SRHP’s Statement of Significance and (iv) the Fremantle Prison Collection Significance Assessment 2017
to conserve Fremantle Prison’s movable heritage with an appropriate appreciation of the risks to its condition, and to be in an appropriate state of risk prevention preparedness
to keep appropriate records in relation to Fremantle Prison’s movable heritage

Risks to Avoid

We have identified the following risks to be avoided:

a collection of objects that is not representative of the range of assessed heritage values at Fremantle Prison, which spans multiple periods
a collection that fails to balance the imperative to conserve Fremantle Prison’s OUV and the importance of representing the post-convict era heritage values of the place
loss of or damage to objects in the Fremantle Prison Collection due to under-resourced or below-standard storage, physical conservation or exhibition facilities
loss of or damage to objects in the Fremantle Prison Collection due to poor risk preparedness
the acquisition or disposal of objects in breach of the law or ethical obligations
a collection of objects at Fremantle Prison that fails to reach its potential as a teaching and learning resource because it is unrepresentative of the place’s heritage values or because access to it is unnecessarily restricted

Statutory Framework

The World Heritage Convention defines ‘cultural heritage’ for the purposes of listing to be ‘monuments’, ‘groups of buildings’ and ‘sites’ rather than movable heritage (such as the Fremantle Prison collection). However, the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Reg. 10.01) include a requirement to ‘present and transmit to future generations’ the heritage values of places on the WHL. The Fremantle Prison Collection is an excellent and crucial resource for presenting and transmitting Fremantle Prison’s OUV.

The Statement of Significance for Fremantle Prison on the NHL states that the place’s heritage values are embodied by the buildings ‘including its underground engineering heritage, archaeological subsurface remains, records and collections’ (italics added). Also, the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Reg. 10.01E) include a requirement to ‘present and transmit’ the heritage values of places on the NHL. The Fremantle Prison Collection is an excellent and crucial resource for presenting and transmitting Fremantle Prison’s National Heritage values.

The Australian Protection of Moveable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 governs the sale of ‘objects that are of importance to Australia, or to a particular part of Australia, for ethnological, archaeological, historical, literary, artistic, scientific or technological reasons’ (Section 7). Many of the objects in the Fremantle Prison Collection are likely to satisfy this definition and would be subject to strict export controls.

Section 3 of the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 defines ‘place’ to include any buildings on the identified area of land and ‘their contents relevant to the purposes of’ the Act (being the conservation of heritage places).

The Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990 and Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 govern the management of archaeological artefacts recovered at Fremantle Prison (see the overarching policies in relation to Archaeology).

Movable Heritage: About

Non-Statutory Framework

The Burra Charter advocates for the management of heritage places having regard to ‘objects’ at the place that contribute to the place’s cultural significance (see Explanatory Note to Article 1.14). Managers of heritage places must also seek to retain the contribution that ‘related objects’ make to the place (Article 11). Related objects contribute to the cultural significance of a place but are not at the place.

Article 10 of the Burra Charter states: ‘Contents, fixtures and objects which contribute to the cultural significance of a place should be retained at that place. Their removal is unacceptable unless it is: the sole means of ensuring their security and preservation; on a temporary basis for treatment or exhibition; for cultural reasons; for health and safety; or to protect the place. Such contents, fixtures and objects should be returned where circumstances permit and it is culturally appropriate’.

The Australian Collections Council defines significance in relation to objects in collections as ‘the values and meanings that items and collections have for people and communities’ (see R. Russell and K. Winkworth, Significance 2.0: a guide to assessing the significance of collections, South Australia, 2009, p. 10). This definition must be read subject to the assessed OUV, National Heritage values and state heritage significance of Fremantle Prison.

Fremantle Prison is a member of Museums Australia and recognises ‘The National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries’ (2014) and the ‘Museums Australia Incorporated Code of Ethics’ (1999) as guiding principles.

Fremantle Prison manages its collection according to the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Policy’ (March 2016). That policy document must be read subject to this HMP.

Movable Heritage: About

Constraints

Notwithstanding the shortage of storage space at Fremantle Prison, and competing demands on the budget, it will be necessary to maintain high-standard storage, physical conservation and display facilities for the movable heritage there.

Opportunities

The existing curatorial facilities in Building 31 (the West Workshops) can be improved with minimal physical intervention and no significant adverse impact on the place’s heritage values. This would have positive heritage outcomes with respect to a highly significant element of the place (its movable heritage).

There are opportunities to consolidate the Fremantle Prison collection into a high-quality storage space that meets industry standards within the Prison grounds while providing for different environmental requirements. The present storage facilities, in disparate locations across the site, pose a risk to the heritage values of the place (in terms of damage, loss and deterioration of its movable heritage). This HMP identifies locations at Fremantle Prison that present development opportunities.

As a response to the critical shortage of suitable storage space at Fremantle Prison, there is an opportunity to rationalise the existing collection. This may include the disposal of objects of lesser significance or which are not necessary to the communication of its heritage values.

The WA State Cultural Heritage Policy includes among its strategic objectives: ‘Promote sound practice in the conservation, management and adaptation of heritage places’. There are opportunities to utilise the

Fremantle Prison collection for training and skills development for students and early career professionals in museums practice and archaeology.
Fremantle Prison currently collaborates with other WA museums and galleries. There are opportunities for Fremantle Prison to continue and expand these collaborations. This might include collaborations with the other Australian Convict Sites.

Overarching Policy Framework

POLICY 41
Fremantle Prison will manage its collection of objects consistent with the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Policy’ (March 2016) and the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Significance Assessment’ (October 2017) read with, and subject to, the WHL’s Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, the assessment of heritage values presented on the NHL, and the WA State Heritage Register’s Statement of Significance.

POLICY 42
Fremantle Prison will balance the imperative to conserve the OUV of the place against the need to conserve the more recent layers of the place’s history and heritage, insofar as that is possible through its movable heritage.

POLICY 43
Fremantle Prison will utilise its movable heritage to meet the aims expressed in the Australian Convict Sites Strategic Plan 2017–2020 which include: Present and interpret the Property’s OUV, emphasising each site’s contribution to the whole (i.e. of the Convict Site World Heritage listing).

POLICY 44
Where there are competing demands on Fremantle Prison’s resources such that it must choose between two or more objects (in terms of acquisition, conservation priorities, de-accession, storage or display) Fremantle Prison will have regard to the ways in which that object embodies and expresses the place’s OUV (in the first instance), its National Heritage values (in the second instance) and the site’s state significance (in the third instance). This will be done on a case-by-case basis. In some circumstances it will be appropriate to (for example) acquire an object that does not embody the place’s OUV instead of one that does, where that OUV is adequately embodied and expressed through other objects or means.

POLICY 45
Fremantle Prison should conserve its collection of objects utilising high-standard conservation facilities, ideally onsite.

POLICY 46
Fremantle Prison should consolidate its collection within high-quality storage facilities.

POLICY 47
Fremantle Prison will continue to observe its regular review and update of its Disaster Preparedness Plan dated April 2016.

POLICY 48
Fremantle Prison will make its collection of objects available to bona fide researchers and teachers insofar as the physical well-being of the objects allows and having regard to cultural sensitivities.

POLICY 49
In the conservation of its objects, Fremantle Prison should observe an active program of collaboration with the other Australian Convict Sites and with other museums and galleries.

Proposed Action

ACTION 25
Review the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Plan’ (March 2016) to ensure consistency with this HMP. In particular, the March 2016 document must reflect that the collection will be managed according to assessed levels of significance (OUV, then National Heritage values, then state significance), then the provenance and research value of individual objects, and then to their rarity, representativeness, condition/completeness and interpretative capacity.

ACTION 26
Engage appropriately qualified professionals to determine the storage requirements (especially in terms of floor space) of the Fremantle Prison Collection. Initiate discussions with an architect to explore options in relation to the location and design of a new onsite storage facility.

ACTION 27
Initiate discussions with an architect to explore design options for improved conservation facilities in Building 31 (the West Workshops) that are sympathetic to the building’s heritage values in addition to other potential suitable buildings.

ACTION 28
Manage objects within the Fremantle Prison Collection subject to this HMP, and having regard to the criteria presented in the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Policy’ (March 2016), and the ‘Fremantle Prison Collection Significance Assessment’ (October 2017). It is appropriate to de-accession/dispose of those objects that do not meet the threshold for inclusion in the Collection (although some may be retained as a ‘Secondary Collection’ for teaching and other purposes). In particular, this might include soil samples recovered from past archaeological excavations and the old building resources (bricks and other elements) stockpiled from previous conservation works.

ACTION 29
Create a Secondary Collection of objects used for the purpose of interpretation, education, loans and research.