Spinner - you could probably contact one of the American Quilt Society Appraisers in your area for advice. If you look at their mission statement and training program, you can see that they are unbiased, very knowledgeable and can tell you about options and care.
Here is a link to find one in your area
http://www.americanquilter.com/quilt...appraisers.php
AQS is also affiliated with "The Professional Association of Appraisers - Quilted Textiles" who are listed as consultants for the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.
http://www.quiltappraisers.org/
Our guild had a certified appraiser who is a member of the CQS (Canadian Quilting Society) come and give a seminar and it was very interesting and enlightening. She offered lots of tips and info using samples that she brought from her own collection and also from guild members. She also talked about the National American and Canadian Quilt Registry program.
She also said that even though you may not get/pay for an "appraisal", most of the certified appraisers will freely offer info and options so that you can determine what to do with your "treasure". The appraisal costs vary with the appraiser and usually range from about $40 - $65 which will include a written document of the details of the quilt and value.