B-Edwards...I don't know about you, but I think you should consider going for the money. :greenchainsaw:
You've had two very good suggestions to cash in on. Both require some research to get a big chunk in the size the customer can use, and moved. Either prep it and get it out to CA to be cut into huge slabs, or custom cut it into old boat restoration parts. Either way..big bucks I think. Clearly it's going to take you most of this year to get the limbs off, cleaned up, milled etc. You could mill all the limbs while you research the best thing to do with such a huge trunk. Consider trying to post photos with some dimensions, a custom cut clause somewhere...ebay, craiglist. Someone will pay for some/all of it. Maybe a heck of a lot more than you think. It's a special tree..needs an equally special project. There's time to find that project.
Ever thought of getting the media in to help you locate a buyer? They love to hear of stories whereby you are trying to give the 400 yr old tree a new life. Coast to coast media coverage with one interview and a few clips of a storm fallen tree. Marketing buddy..marketing.