Well, why don't you just ask them?

Most museums/archives/libraries have a policy of letting people in if they can state a reason for doing so.  As Doug says phone them up or write them a letter.  If the Museum is government owned it is by definition public property and they should not deny access.

To hight light my point 10 years ago when I was a spotty youth (20) I went to the British Museum in London looking for a specific Egyption piece.  After searching for approximately 2 hours I couldn't find it.  I told one of the curators that I had an interest in this piece and asked what I had to do to see it.  He took me into a small office and we looked for it in a catalogue.  He went away and 10 minutes or so later a man came back with it and I had a private view.  I was not allowed to touch it naturally but the man who brought it in was an egyptologist and was able to tell me about it in much more detail than a small piece of paper would have.

I didn't claim to be writing a book or studying egypt at university or lie in any way.  All I said was that I was interested in seeing it.  Remember that the guardians of these treasures want people to share in their passion for them.  If you already have an interest they will encourage it, not try and put you off.

Will

Thank you!
I'm rather keen on having a look at their Canberra B.2 bomber...painted in navy blue....now all I need is a free weekend and a ride down there....

A.