MURRAY, Ky. — The National Scouting Museum, which is relocating to Irving, Texas, will close its doors for the final time Thursday.

        The museum was built in 1986 on the campus of Murray State University because officials thought the location would attract about 120,000 visitors a year.

        Murray is near the Land Between the Lakes area, and 80 million people live within 500 miles.

        But officials say geographic access has contributed to the museum's downfall. In recent years the number of visitors was 17,000 to 18,000, museum director Susan B. Hardin said.

        The museum's artifacts — including 54 original Norman Rockwell paintings — will be moved to Texas and housed in a building next to the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of Ameri ca. The move will begin Dec. 1 and take about four months, Ms. Hardin said.

        Ms. Hardin said the national office tried different marketing plans over the years to increase visitation, but the efforts failed.

        “The budget is just not there to support the few visitors we have,” Ms. Hardin said.

        The new location will be in the metro area between Dallas and Fort Worth, and exhibit space will double, Ms. Hardin said.

        An inventory this summer showed 500,000 artifacts, including everything from electronic pieces to personal items belonging to famous Scouts, and tents and canoes.

        Sid Easley, chairman of Murray State Board of Regents, said in May the university will be able to use the museum building for the new College of Health.

        “We'll be able to offer programs we couldn't offer before,” he said.

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