2024 Tennessee Code
Title 66 - PROPERTY (§§ 66-1-101 — 66-38-101)
Chapter 29 - ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY (§§ 66-29-101 — 66-29-306)
Part 2 - ABANDONED CULTURAL PROPERTY ACT (§§ 66-29-201 — 66-29-204)
Section 66-29-202 - Part definitions

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

• (1) "Abandoned cultural property" means cultural property meeting the following three (3) conditions:
  • (A) The property shall have been deposited with a museum, historical society, or similar not-for-profit institution for a period of at least twenty (20) years; or the property shall have been deposited with a museum, historical society, or similar not-for-profit institution for a definite term which has been expired for at least twenty (20) years;
  • (B) The museum, historical society, or similar not-for-profit institution has been unable to contact the original depositor by certified mail; and
  • (C) The original depositor or such depositor's heirs or assigns have not contacted the museum, historical society, or similar not-for-profit institution for at least twenty (20) years;

• (2) "Cultural property" means any work of art, regardless of the medium; any work of decorative art; any craft work; photographs; documents; costumes; weapons; the tools and equipment of the various trades and professions; archaeological and geological specimens; zoological and botanical specimens; historical postage and currency; silverware; objects associated with historical persons or events; and in general, any object which, when exhibited, serves to further the educational goals of the exhibiting institution; and

• (3) "Museum" means those museums and art galleries owned or operated by the state or any political subdivision of the state, and those museums, historical societies, and art galleries owned and operated by not-for-profit corporations.

Acts 1984, ch. 862, § 2; 1985, ch. 153, § 1; 1991, ch. 203, §§ 1, 2.