Just another sign of the times. I was stunned to read the news about a month ago. Although it sits in the middle of nowhere near the Indiana/Illinois state line, it was where Ernie Pyle grew up for crying out loud! The state said they can't afford to keep it open and started taking artifacts from the home to display in the state museum; Indianapolis. Link to newspaper article: IndyStar.com | Indianapolis news, community, business, sports, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Central Indiana.
Unfortunately, only drawing 1,500 visitors a year isn't going to make your attraction liquid. $50,000 a year to maintain is no pocket change. At least the artifacts are going to be put somewhere that they might get more expose. You have to admit, this place was a niche attraction.
I can definitely see the financial side of things in the states decision. But, the amateur historian in me says the visitor that wants to really know who Ernie Pyle was will learn much more about him by the house,town and local enviroment he was raised in. It has not changed much to this day. I think you will loose much of that at the state museum. Just my humble .02.
