Posted by Doc Dave [70.192.195.205] on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 07:43:45 :
In Reply to: Peterson Auto Museum posted by gmharris [71.105.44.68] on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 00:21:17 :
Related story on museums selling items to raise money:
One of my ancestors was a Civil War soldier (2nd La Cavalry). I am very interested in Civil War history, and in my research on him I found that his unit's battle flag was owned by the Southern Oregon History Museum of all places. A descendent of one of the soldiers that captured it in battle had donated MANY years ago.
Imagine my shock last year when I saw it offered for sale in a magazine from a company that buys and sells artifacts. I guess the Museum sold it off to raise money for some need.
It could understand it more if it was an article of technology, or a handmade article from an earlier time, but a battle flag is directly connected with lives lost. I was under the mistaken idea that something like that would not be sold off to the highest bidder.
Bottom line, if you give/loan something to a museum be fully informed with all the small print, and if you want the item back at a later date. You may be surprised.