Re: Camp 6 (in Tacoma) Logging Equipment sold to Chris Baldo
Author: Northwest Logger
Date: 09-28-2011 - 19:52
It is debatable how much effort they really put into finding another organization to take over the camp 6 collection. Did they send letters or make phone calls to other Northwest museums or historical societies, or did they just rely on non specific references contained in news releases and newpaper articles? Inquiries to WFIM's defacto "president and chief funder" were met with "we have made arrangements with a museum down in California to purchase the collection from us." Ya, right.
Regardless, they are "selling" 2/3 of their collection to a private collector. There is nothing wrong with individuals having private collections of railroad history. But should public charities be selling their collections to these private collectors? That isn't why the IRS gives non profit tax status to organizations - collections are supposed to be held in the public trust - WFIM never spent a dime on the camp 6 collection. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.