Amassing a collection both extensive and significant in value can be a lifelong endeavor. It might have started early in life with a gift that inspired interest, or it could have started later in life as a way to memorialize the past.

But what happens when the collection outlives the collector? Rather than disbursing the collection across the country via estate sales, auctions and eBay, collections often find their way into museums and the hands of other collectors.

One collection found its way into Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, Minn. The collection features a variety of Scandinavian artifacts. Plates, dolls, clothes and artwork welcome visitors near the entrance of the nursing home. The collection contributes to the theme of the home, since many residents are of Scandinavian or German descent.

“It came to us through an estate,” Sandy Pettersen of Eventide Nursing Home said. “We had a lady who lived here who donated her home and its entire contents to Eventide after she died. We found lots of Norwegian artifacts, and we built the museum to put them in.”

Passed-down, these collections often have local connections, which makes them especially valuable. At the West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo, N.D., there is a collection of memorabilia in the Roger Maris Museum. Hometown hero Maris is known for his previous record 61 homeruns in one season while playing for the New York Yankees. The museum has been in the mall for 20 years, but was recently renovated.

Rusty Patachek, general manager of West Acres Shopping Center, was involved with, and has been a part of the museum during its renovation period.

“Roger (Maris) wanted all people to have access, wanted it to be affordable for all people,” Patachek said. The museum, located near the south entrance of the mall, is free and open to the public.

When assembling the museum, manangers and curators looked into many different sources. Some items were purchased, others bought from eBay, some directly from the New York Yankees. Private collectors donated other pieces. Many items came directly from the Maris family. Each year, the family comes to Fargo to bring new items and visit the museum.

“We try and make it not stale,” Patachek said. “There are new things every year.”

Owning a collection that continues to grow in value can become something collectors want to share with the public after they can no longer actively take care of the collection themselves.

Such is the case with Ron Brown of South Fargo. After his wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, her massive collection of salt and pepper shakers needed a new home. Many of the pieces were quite valuable. Brown saw the situation as an opportunity to share his wife’s hobby with others.

“I didn't have to do any of the calling,” said John Villiard, owner of Villiards Auction Co. “He contacted me. It was something he wanted to do.” The salt and pepper shakers were sold to other collectors at an auction at Villiard’s in February 2005.

Some say the best part of collecting is the opportunity to share the collection with others for many years to come. It can be a collector's life’s work and passion.