I work for a newly formed (1999) 501 c 3 organization that will operate a
museum which is currently being built with city funds.  The city will own
the museum building, and the collections of the museum will be provided by
another 501 c3 organization which has been collecting artifacts and
documents since the early 1980's.  The museum and the Historical Society
have been meeting to negotiate the transfer of the collection over to the
museum as well as to discuss other issues such as membership and
programming.  Last week, while meeting with city officials regarding the
museum project, they indicated, for the first time, that they want the
Historical Society to transfer ownership of the collection to the city.
They are concerned that if there is ever a falling out with the museum
board, the board might move the collection out of the museum building.

I do not want the city to own the collections because a) I don't think they
know the responsibility they would be taking on and the special care
collections need b)it will give the city an excuse for getting involved in
the day to day operations of the museum,ie.  We own the collection and we
want you to do this c)it will complicate the governance structure of the
museum-staff which would oversee collection currently works for the museum
not the city.

I would appreciate hearing from others their opinion regarding this.  Oh,
to complicate matters even further, right now the city is pretty much the
sole source of funding for the museum.  HELPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!

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