Naturally we should preserve these songs... but perform and broadcast? It depends on the context. As a radio host, I try to be very careful and explain the original context. Stephen Foster's dialect songs for instance. However there is a fine line between preserving and exploiting.

I find it fascinating to go to a museum and examining medieval suits of armor and all the gruesome weapons. I certainly wouldn't want get one for my own and wear it the next time I walk into Stop & Shop to pick up a gallon of milk. Learn from the past, live in the present.