I, too, recall that Cornell University had a collection of Ampico rolls
in storage around 1990.  Probably they arrived around that time as part
of a larger estate.

I've seen at least a few instances, at various schools, where bequests
include large amounts of cash along with pianos and other objects that
might have been dear to the deceased but are of little interest to the
beneficiary.  In the interests of diplomacy the whole lot is accepted
with thanks.  The money of course is put to use, and after a discreet
interval the other knick-knacks are disposed of.

In more recent years Cornell acquired a partially rebuilt Steinway
Duo-Art grand in this manner.  I was later told, to my pleasant
surprise, that the music department turned down a purchase offer from
a "rebuilder" who wanted to remove the player in favor of a lower bid
from somebody who intended to restore both piano and player.

There are, I think, no guarantees that these bequests will be strictly
honored in the long run.  Even buildings and stadiums, erected with
donations of millions of dollars, are subject to "re-naming" as a new
generation of wealthy donors comes along.

Maybe the future of mechanical music would be better served by donating
to train a new generation of rebuilders and builders...  But that's
another subject, and a rather complicated one.

Richard Friedman
Upstate New York