Ask HN: What do do with inherited WW2 material
2 Trashmetoday 2 8/9/2025, 6:30:55 PM
We have inherited some WW2 German material that we do not know what to do with. The material has been in storage since just after WW2. The family member who acquired this was a multi-star US Army General and much of the material would be considered as “trophies of war” by past standards, but it is not so easy to get rid of. From the general’s high-ranking position in the military, we are certain some of the items would be considered collectable and not run-of-the-mill items – e.g. museum artifact quality. We do not want to sell it to collectors, we do not see to make any money on this, and are worried that our storage unit will be broken into and we will be embarrassed.
Any ideas on disposing of this material?
The issue with this is that you lose control once you give them away, no matter what.
A former landlady of mine donated the historical motorcycle her father once owned to a reputable museum under the condition that they keep it on display. Couple of years later by mere coincidence she got wind that the bike was amongst items the museum was about to auction off. She bid it back for a lot of money.
Moral of the story is that once you give it away it is out of your control. It is certainly good to be conscious who you give it to, but in my opinion it is not worth sweating over it.
Artifact donations can be reached at +1 504 528 1944 x515
(if you wish to retain ownership, ask if they would accept the artifacts while owned by a revocable trust you have beneficial interest in, "on loan from" the trust; if this is not important to you, you can simply gift them to the museum)