Dear Tom--

Try contacting Descanso Gardens in La Canada, California, and the LA County
Arboretum.  Both are County owned/administered gardens "going private."
Each is at a different stage in the process, and both have interesting
experiences to share.

Good luck.

>Dear Friends,
>
>We are seeking information on and contacts with museums, history centers,
>zoos, botanical gardens, historical sites and others that have made the
>transition from publicly owned and operated to privately (501,(c),(3)
>nonprofit) so.
>
>We are looking for people to contact who can provide information about the
>plusses and minuses, the traps and pitfalls, the successes and failures, the
>processes gone through and the time it took (or is taking) to make the
>transition.  All words of wisdom are welcome, too.
>
>Please e-mail directly to us at -  [log in to unmask]
>
>Thanks in advance for all you help.
>
>Tom Bacchetti
>Bacchetti & Associates, Inc.
>Atlanta, GA

Richard Chute ([log in to unmask])          Dir. of Corp. & Fndtn. Rel.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden         1500 North College Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711
Phone:  (909) 625-8767, ext. 222        FAX:  (909) 626-7670