IRS grants the status as a museum. You have to incorporate as a "for profit"
business operating a museum or a "non profit" historical organization that
would then seek museum status (after the permanent non profit status had
been granted - several years in some cases). You can't just call yourself a
museum and ask the government to give you stuff; it requires you to meet a
number of guidelines. These include a building (dedicated solely to the
purpose intended - your garage doesn't qualify), public hours, staff, board
of directors and officers, etc. If you can meet the guidelines (which may
have changed since the last set I saw a few years back) then you get a
better shot at lots of stuff. Catch 22 is....it's not yours (they retain
actual title to most things but the museum has it as a "permanent" loan) and
you are subject to a lot of regs about use and care and they can come
inspect whenever they want to ensure you're taking care of their stuff. If
you violate the rules (or they send someone who'll say you did just to close
you down) then the penalties are pretty stiff.
Good Luck,
Dennis O'Connor
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