The department may, using such funds as may be appropriated to it or available from any other source, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, lease, purchase or otherwise historic structures or landmarks, including such adjacent land as may be necessary for the comfort and safety of the visiting public, which the department determines to be of national or state historical importance and to be of such concern to the public at large that they should be held forever in good condition for visitation by the public and for the protection of the heritages of the people of this state and nation. The department may restore, maintain and operate, or may lease to private organizations or municipalities for the purpose of restoring, maintaining and operating, such properties in such a condition as to render them suitable for public visitation and to inform the public of the historic event or circumstance connected therewith. The department may charge reasonable visitation or special event fees, and operate or contract for the operation of gift shops at such properties and use funds received to help defray the cost of maintenance and operation of such properties and to replenish stock. The department may cooperate with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and any other appropriate municipal, state or federal agency or private organization in carrying out functions under this section and may enter into agreements for such purposes.