CNN has a poll going at the moment over whether the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta should remain independently run or should be sold to the National Park Service. Just over half of respondents would rather see the center remain independent. The King family is equally divided. Two of King's children are worried that ownership by the federal government would compromise the center's independent voice and water down Dr. King's message of social justice.

As one model, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association does a wonderful job of maintaining George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in the private sector.