Opening computer museums

Starting a museum is a major endeavor if you want it to not suck. The last time I counted (2 years ago) there were 15-20 computer museums in the U.S. alone. Not counting the Smithsonian, the breakdown is this: there's the Computer History Museum (in Mountain View, Calif.), and there's everyone else. The CHM has millions upon millions of dollars. It is a very professional and high-end facility located in the former Silicon Graphics marketing building. Major donations from corporate bigwigs, etc., etc. The others are all vastly smaller. Some have space in other buildings; others are just a few display cases called a "museum". Here in New Jersey, we are extremely lucky. We have a large space in an existing non-profit science center. We've been there for 3 years so far rent-free. Soon we'll have to pay our share of the utilities. We raise money through donations, by holding events such as the VCF East, and by sometimes renting computers out as TV props, etc. So my advice to anyone who wants to start a computer museum is: have a promise of physical space BEFORE you start collecting artifacts; understand the budget and insurance issues; and never go it alone. I'd be glad to answer additional questions offline.