FYI - Maryland Computer Museum article

[Evan Koblentz]

>
>>>> - there's no rule that a museum is supposed to be publicly owned.
>>
>>> I do not know about other states, but in New York - yes, real
>>> incorporated museums are public, officially part of University of the
>>> State of New York, and must follow the Rules of the Regents.
>>
>> It's illegal there to start up an independent museum??
>
> Without USNY accreditation, it's next to impossible for a museum in 
> New York State to obtain tax exempt status as a museum.  It's similar 
> to the accreditation requirement for public lending libraries.

Exactly.  To whoever asked the question: museums aren't profitable.  
Without being a non-profit, success is almost impossible.  (Our museum 
here in NJ is an exception because we're a club that happens to get 
cost-free exhibit space.  Even so, we're still en route to 501c3 status.)