Where have all the instruments gone?

I recently found this article on the Internet that I felt everyone
should read (see link below).  It appears even with the best intentions,
instruments are being lost to the cellars of time.   Without donations
of funds to sustain a collection, facilities do not have the resources
to house and maintain them.  A national effort is needed to have a
registry of all instruments that are at museums, universities, etc.,
and the Smithsonian should have a facility to either house or insure
control of these operations.

The Smithsonian Institution -- the world's largest museum and research
complex -- includes 19 museums and galleries but non of these are
dedicated to musical history.  What history is worth maintaining, what
instruments are the best representation of various era?

All musical societies and groups should work to identify and recommend
pieces that are museum worthy and others should be allowed to be
obtained by individual collectors willing to display and maintain them.

No one wants to see their favorite instrument go to the trash heap,
so it is important to consider what will happen to your collections
in the future.  Was your financial investment in your instruments for
investment purposes (most financial advisor would never recommend this)
or was it for the love of the instrument?

If it was for the love of the instrument, look for younger individuals
to share your passion and maybe leave a few to them for future care.
If you purchased them for investment, sell them and get what someone is
willing to pay but be very careful of donating them to non profits for
tax deductions, because they may end up in the cellars of time unless
you also donate and set up an endowment for their future care.

Paulette Smariga - in sunny Florida where the heat and humidity play
with your instruments!

  "Silenced musical treasures languish in Mich. vault"
  by Jeff Karoub, Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2012 2:37 PM ET
http://hosted2.ap.org/FLJAJ/f7ded15e4d4846268a17b79c1c4b7cb8/Article_2012-01-15-Entombed%20Musical%20Treasures/id-e026f6085fc84d5387348a4dcd7be2bd 

 [ Also at http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120115/APE/1201151023 
 [ -- Robbie