Over the years, I have probably devoted more columns to the topic of keeping things together than almost any other topic. It makes me nuts when I hear about a tea pot that is missing its lid or a family that has broken up a set of chairs so everyone gets one. I do understand that accidents and also good intentions happen, but in the end, it really impacts the value, both financial and familial, of antiques. Its important to remember that we are all custodians of our collections. We love the stuff, care for it, cherish it, but in the end when we throw off our mortal coil, it is someone elses problem. Frequently, because collectors are innately private people, they do not tell their families what to do with their treasures. They hope that someone keeps the collection together, but in the end, more often than not, the pieces are sent to auction. If we accept that we have responsibilities to both our families and to the objects we collect, then we need to make plans now as to how we will pass our antiques on to the next generation. So what does that mean? 1) Talk about it now with family and make good decisions about who gets what. This solves family issues and puts everyone at ease. 2) Make sure that everyone knows where things are located. Okay, yes I know things get moved on a daily basis, but years ago a noted antique dealer died and left a row of empty clock cases in his shop. The works had been sent to various clockmakers and never reappeared. 3) Dont break sets up so everyone gets one. The value of the whole is often far more than the parts. So give the train set to one person, the set of chairs to another, the tea service to a third. But dont break up a set so that everyone fairly gets a piece. 4) You cannot control things from the grave. Realize that money or interest will dictate what happens to your collection. Give your family or heirs the tools to manage your collection. 5) Dont assume a museum will take the items. This is a huge fallacy. Being in the museum business, I can tell you that most surprise gifts to a museum are usually items we dont want. Make a phone call in advance and see if the museum really wants the items and then plan accordingly. And be aware that museum staff changes over time and the resounding YES of today may be a tepid NO in the future. Minds change, and so make plans for items if the museum decides it does not want the items. Finally, and this is a bitter pill for some, realize that your familys cherished heirlooms that have been passed down for generations may be suddenly sold. All the antiques in our collections were saved by someone who thought they should be kept in a family only to have a later generation decide to sell them. So if you have a household full of empire furniture that descended in your family, realize that todays apartment dwelling millennials may only opt for one piece. Sorry for the tough love readers. Born to collect should be the motto of Peter Seiberts family. Raised in Central Pennsylvania, Seibert has been collecting and writing about antiques for more than three decades. By day, he is a museum director and has worked in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Virginia and New Mexico. In addition, he advises and consults with auction houses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly about American furniture and decorative arts. Seiberts writings include books on photography, American fraternal societies and paintings. He and his family are restoring a 1905 arts and crafts house filled with years worth of antique treasures found in shops, co-ops and at auctions.