Direct operation by the Commission with oversight by a citizens' advisory committee. This would have the advantage of bringing employees into the state system with retirement and benefits. A competant general manager (maybe the present acting one) could be brought on board to run the day-to-day operation. The C&TS is quite capable of being self-sustaining in terms of operations, Capital improvements could be funded through the states' general funds at first until some sort of trust could be established. Government does some things well, preservation and operation of historic and recreational sites has historically been one of these things.
J