There has been much discussion about the terms the transfer of the Rosenteel
artifacts to the United States of America. There were 9 different people who had
claim to the artifacts (all relatives of the Rosenteels) involved in the
transfer(ownership is in () ):

Richard Eckert(1.2%),James Rosenteel(1.2%),Emily O'Neil(1.2%),Mary Christine
Rosenteel(1.2%),Daniel M Rosenteel(1.2%),Lawrence H Eckert, III(1.2%) , Emily G
Rosenteel(69.8%), Margaret Rosenteel(13.8%), Angela Eckert(9.2%).

All 9 right holders signed a "BILL OF SALE", "GIFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY"  in
late 1971. In this "Bill of Sale" they all sell their rights with no conditions
attached to the NPS for $1.00.

It reads as follows:
_______________________________
 
                              BILL OF SALE

                          GIFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, Angela  D Eckert, of R.D. , Gettysburg
Pennsylvania, for and in consideration of the sum of One($1.00) Dollar, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do bargain, sell, transfer, assign and
deliver all my right, title and interest in and to the Gun , Relic and Artifacts
Collection formerly owned by the Gettysburg National Museum, Inc., and
distributed to me under date of August 31, 1971, as part of a total liquidating
dividend of such corporation, of which I was a stockholder, said liquidation
being pursuant to a plan of liquidation adopted by said corporation on August
17, 1971, said total collection being the same as was cataloged and appraised by
C. Norman Flayderman under date of September 23, 1967:

     To the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and it assigns to have and to hold
forever.

     And I vouch that I have full right and lawful authority to dispose of my
interests, viz:9.2% of an undivided interest in the total collection and
covenant to defend my said interest in said collection of guns, relics and
artifacts, against the lawful claims of all other persons.

     In witness thereof, I have hereunto voluntarily set my hand seal this 21st
day of December, 1971, being fully apprised that I am making a gift of my said
interest in said Collection to the United States of America.

     Signed, sealed, delivered in the presence of

                                        Angela C. Eckert

________________________________

I have copies of all nine bill of sales-all worded the same. Many thanks to
Katie Lawhon of the GNMP for providing us this info.
 

______________________________________________________

This is a memo issued to George Hartzog, the then Director of the NPS on January
20th, 1972. It addresses the "understanding" under which the artifacts were
donated.
_______________________
Memorandum

To: Director, National Park Service

From: Director, Northeast Region

Subject: Donation of Artifacts, Rosensteel Collection, Gettysburg

Enclosed are nine (9) Bills of Sale and an inventory for the donation of the
Rosenteel Artifacts Collection from the gettysburg National museum made by Mrs.
Emily G. Rosenteel and members of her family. The Rosensteel have made this
donation with no strings attached, ;based on the promise that the collection
would always be kept in Gettysburg and known as the Rosenteel Collection. They
were told they could place a plaque stating the donation was made in memory of
George D. (Pat) Rosenteel and his son Joseph L. Rosenteel, who invented the
Electric Map.

Mrs. Rosenteel has agreed that duplicate artifacts and items particular to other
Battlefield Parks could and would be transferred. She was assured that the
majority of the collection would be kept in Gettysburg as a Gettysburg
Battlefield museum. She was told we would request a letter to this effect be
sent to her by the director. A draft of the letter is enclosed for appropriate
action.

Also enclosed is a copy of the copyright issued to Joseph L. Rosenteel. March
30, 1940 for the "Electrified Gettysburg Battlefield Relief Map", the assignment
of the Copyright to his widow Margaret M. Rosenteel, August 18, 1965, the
copyrights Register Card and the Assignment by Margaret M. Rosenteel of all
rights, title and interest therein to the United States of America dated August
18, 1971. Said assignment should be processed to have the copyright issued in
the name of the United States of America, National Park Service,

_________________________
 

The letter referred to in paragraph 2 is as follows:
 

_________
 
 

Mrs. Emily G Rosenteel
<address omitted>
 

Dear Mrs. Rosensteel:

On behalf of the National Park Service, I wish to extend to you and your family
our sincere thanks for your generous donation of the Rosensteel Artifacts
Collection.This wonderful collection is well known to our historians and will
assure you that the gettysburg National Military Park will have a Civil War
Museum next to none.

We know that a lifetime of work was devoted to this collection by both your
husband and your son. we regret that they were not alive to witness this
donation made in their honor.  You have my assurance that the Rosensteel
Collection shall basically always be maintained in the Gettysburg area. It is
possible that some of the duplicate items may be sent to newer parks to assure
proper interpretation. Also, those items that pertain to a specific area, such
as  the locks form the cells at Andersonville or machinery from Harpers Ferry,
may be sent to that particular area. However, those items peculiar to Gettysburg
and the main collection will remain in Gettysburg.

With the addition of these artifacts and the Electric Map, we can do much to
educate and orient future generations of American Children. Your family has left
a Heritage of America to our present and future generation. It shall become our
mission to see that the Heritage is maintained and developed to its fullest
capability.

Again, please accept my thanks, that of the National Park Service and the
American public we serve.

Sincerely,
 
 

George B Hartzog,Jr.
Director, National Park Service