Recently there has been a thorough discussion concerning the problems
of placing collections in the hands of museums.  The common conclusion
is that if the museum is not specifically interested in the collection,
the collection is destined to languish in inaccessible storage.

There are some successful placements of collections.  One placement
has just happened.  Well-known collector Mike Montgomery has sold his
collection of John W. (Blind) Boone holdings to the City of Columbia,
Missouri.  Boone resided in Columbia most of his life and the City has
an ongoing interest in preserving the Blind Boone history.  There is
an annual "Blind Boone Ragtime Festival", and the former home of Boone
is being restored to serve as a museum.  Additionally, Boone County
Historical Society, located in Columbia, has a collection of Blind Boone
material including his concert grand Chickering Piano.

Clearly, there is the necessary interest for this collection to thrive.
For more information see
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=17177

Bob Taylor
Columbia, Missouri