I think sometimes it is very difficult to know what is best for artifacts. Take for example the wagon John bought from Maen some time ago for preservation, then finding having to sell it on thinking it was going to a good home. And as we saw it was destroyed by the owner. I would have loved it in our garden.
Every now and again I find myself with some classic car parts that I do not need. I have over time given some away thinking they could be used, but then found that they were not.
So what I do with them now when I want a clearout is to put them on ebay and then say a headlight chrome for an Austin Cambridge goes to someone who needs it instead of somone who would have it, but no use for it. Even it just sells for a pound.
There might be someone who donated an interesting mining artifact to a museum thinking it would be preserved for future generations. Then in a few years finding their relic rotten and neglected as in 'you know where'.
I have some slate cutting tools, a jympar and some bits and pieces that my past familly had when working the slate. And to be perfectly honest I would think twice before donating anything to any museum for the reasons we have seen.
I think some things should be at a museum and many relics should stay where they are. Or possibly given to someone that would look after them.
Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.