15 FAM 770
Office of cultural heritage (obo/ops/ch)
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 FAM 771 policy
15 FAM 771.1 General Policy
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
The Office of Cultural Heritage, Directorate of
Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/OPS/CH) is responsible
for the Department of State's (DOS) historically, culturally, or
architecturally significant properties. OBO/OPS/CHs stewardship involves
education, and proper maintenance and conservation. This policy pertains to movable
and immovable heritage properties and assets of historic, cultural,
architectural, archaeological, and ethno-anthropological interest. This
includes archaeological sites, landscapes, buildings, structures, fine arts,
decorative arts, works on paper, and other cultural heritage items.
15 FAM 771.2 Detailed Policy
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
a. Historic
Preservation:
(1) OBO/OPS/CH
identifies and documents historic properties included on OBO's working list of significant
properties. The list of significant properties includes properties that are:
(a) On the UNESCO World Heritage List;
(b) On another countrys equivalent to the National
Register of Historic Places;
(c) Locally protected in a countrys historic district
or architectural overlay zone; or
(d) Listed or eligible for listing on the Secretary of
State's Register of Culturally Significant Property.
NOTE: OBO/OPS/CH maintains the list of significant
properties on their SharePoint site.
(2) For all significant properties, OBO/OPS/CH must
review and approve any undertaking beyond basic maintenance. If OBO/OPS/CH
identifies any possible adverse effects on the property from that endeavor, post
must propose mitigating measures.
(a) Routine maintenance should follow best practices for
building conservation, including preservation before replacement and
replacement in kind.
(b) Occupants are personally responsible for the proper
stewardship of U.S. Government property while serving at post. The occupant
bears personal financial responsibility for the following, as they are not
considered normal wear and tear:
(i) Unapproved alterations;
(ii) Damage to structures, grounds, or furnishings by
the officers family members, personal guests and their families, and/or pets;
and
(iii) Damage as a result of blatant disregard for
proper care. (See 15
FAM 245.)
(3) OBO/OPS/CH reviews all capital construction
projects and major renovations at significant properties, identifies adverse
effects, and approves proposed mitigation.
NOTE:
Post must notify OBO/OPS/CH and local authorities immediately if any archaeological
sites are unearthed during construction. All such sites must be protected, and
they must be thoroughly documented before construction continues.
All
work (whether maintenance, renovation, or new construction) must respect host
country laws and procedures for handling architectural and cultural heritage.
b. Heritage
Collections
(1) OBO/OPS/CH identifies and preserves all DOS
antiques, works of art, and other cultural heritage objects. OBO/OPS/CH
guides, supports, and funds the identification, conservation, and monitoring of
the DOS heritage collection.
(a) Posts must report any potentially significant
objects, including a gift that may fit these criteria, to OBO/OPS/CH for
evaluation.
(2) At posts with significant collections, OBO/OPS/CH professionally
assesses the condition, provenance, and value of antiques, works of art, and
other cultural heritage objects.
(a) Posts Property Management Officers must provide
OBO/OPS/CH with copies of the following records:
(i) Names of artists or makers;
(ii) Historic associations and biographies;
(iii) Donor letters;
(iv) Bills of sales with purchase dates and sources;
(v) Annotations regarding related published
information; and
(vi) Photographs.
Posts must maintain originals of these records. OBO/OPS/CH
staff will provide posts with additional information to support the maintenance
and preservation of heritage items.
NOTE: The RSO
must ensure classified information and security devices are not in the
photographs.
(3) Posts must follow the OBO/OPS/CH guidance
concerning the placement, routine care, environmental monitoring activities,
moving, and storage of antiques, works of art, and other cultural heritage
objects. To obtain item-specific instructions for routine care, environmental
monitoring, and placement, contact OBO/OPS/CH. (See 15 FAM 762 for
guidance on removal and storage.)
(a) To ensure the preservation of antiques, heritage
collection artwork, or other cultural heritage objects, do not obstruct or move
any item from the point of installation without first consulting OBO/OPS/CH.
(b) Posts must store all furniture or furnishings
removed from residences in a climate-controlled warehouse. If U.S. Government
facilities at post are inadequate and/or not climate controlled, posts must
store the items in a secure non-U.S. Government climate-controlled warehouse at
the expense of the residences occupant.
(4) Property Management Officers must report any damage
or deterioration of antiques, works of art, and other cultural heritage collection
objects to the Cultural Heritage (CH) staff. Posts should not attempt to
remedy a problem without prior approval. The CH staff will provide direction
for selecting qualified professionals, soliciting bids, evaluating treatment
proposals, and ensuring satisfactory project completion.
(5) OBO/OPS/CH will evaluate heritage collection items
for deaccession from the collection from time to time and at posts request.
Post may not sell damaged or unusable items without OBO/OPS/CH approval.
Document all sale proceeds with a DS-132 and give the proceeds to OBO/OPS/CH.
c. Inventories
Posts must inventory antiques, works of art, and
other cultural heritage collection assets annually, paying particular attention
to the condition assessment. (See 15 FAM 774.)
15 FAM 772 Loans of Department-Owned
Works of Art
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
The State Department lends Department-owned works of art
only in unusual circumstances. The Director for OBO must approve special loans
based on the Departments diplomatic interest and the Ambassadors
recommendation regarding local, legal, or logistical issues. A loan must
include a binding agreement that the borrower covers all costs and will provide
a certificate of insurance for the replacement value of the work of art. Posts
must contact OBO/OPS/CH for details.
15 FAM 773 CLOSINGS and Evacuations
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
Before closing or evacuating, post must take appropriate
measures to protect and transfer cultural heritage collection assets, as
necessary. Posts emergency action plan should contain appropriate steps to
safeguard these objects in the event of an emergency. Post may request
additional guidance on appropriate measures from OBO/OPS/CH.
15 FAM 774 Procedures for Annual
Inventories
15 FAM 774.1 State Department
(CT:OBO-72; 05-14-2018)
a. Annual inventories of
Government-owned (GO) items are an integral part of property accountability
systems. OBO requires each post to
submit annual inventories of all cultural heritage collection assets. Submit
annual inventories using the Integrated Logistics Management Systems (ILMS)
Asset Reports Physical Inventory Reports. Antiques, works of art, and other
cultural heritage collection objects should be flagged as H in ILMS inventory
lists. Post and OBO/OPS/CH both receive an H-flagged inventory.
(1) Posts must conduct and submit yearly inventories of
the complete cultural heritage collection no later than March 15th to
OBO/OPS/CH.
(2) Posts must report lost or missing items from the
previous inventory on Form DS-132, Property Disposal Authorization and Survey
Report. The Accountable Property Officer (APO) and the Ambassador must sign the
inventories.
(3) Annual inventories should contain a complete
description of each antique, work of art, and any other cultural heritage
object. Descriptions should include manufacturer, size, pattern, color,
condition, acquisition cost, purchase date, appraised value, and appraisal date.
List items by building and room location. Provide the RPA Property ID for each
building.
(4) Every two years, post
must upload current photographs of each cultural heritage collection item to
SharePoint. For instructions on uploading to SharePoint, consult OBO/OPS/CHs
yearly ALDAC on the inventory process. Note that photographs should be clear
images and only show the item.
NOTE: The RSO
must clear all photographs with items in the background to ensure they do not
depict (a) classified information, or (b) physical/technical security devices.
b. OBO/OPS/CH will not
process requests for conservation funds until it receives and reviews all current
inventories.
15 FAM 775 THROUGH 779 unassigned