One man's piece of history

Learning about the United State's history has made connections between a lot of news stories we have been following this year.  For one, it shows me how the development of our country compares to the development of the democracies that are developing in the arab spring.  It also helps me understand references to our history in other stories.  For example this story mentions the watts riots in Los Angeles in 1965.  (link).  This man, Nathaniel Montague, or "Magnificent Montague", has been searching for and collecting historical items that deal with African American history for fifty years.  His collection is really amazing.  He has pieces that are rare, one of a kind, and he doesn't collect things that were mass-produced, or are common.  His collection has not even been valued because of the sheer extent of it, and the huge amount it would come to.  Five of the pieces alone were estimated at up to $940,000.  He has pieces from famous authors and civil rights activists, including Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.  The sad part is the man cannot keep his hard earned collection, as he has fallen into bankrupcy.  All the people involved really admire what he has done, and really believe in the value of the collection he has amassed.  They are trying hard to make sure that his collection that he has created will be able to stay in one piece, and be put somewhere that will be available to the public.  He is very grateful that they are being so careful with his life's work, and says that he would be more than content if they could make it into a museum of some kind.