For an alternate point of view on the value (or possible lack thereof) of donating to museums for the purpose of preservation of historic items and public display, I think that you would be interested in reading the ongoing discussion on the topic at AntigueGuns.com. You may want to note that "JBW" is Dr. Whisker, a prolific and renowned author on the topic of Confederate guns.

See: http://www.antiqueguns.com/pushpin/src/bbs.cgi?M::000001::P001055::0

and

http://www.antiqueguns.com/pushpin/src/bbs.cgi?M::000001::P001053::0

I have not responded to that particular thread, but I could tell you museum horror storys one after the other. Of course, many museums are wonderful and are careful caretakers of our historic items. Sadly, too many are not.