Closed Ernie Pyle Museum to be Open for Local Festival

A group fighting to preserve an Indiana museum dedicated to World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle says it sees the state's decision to open the site for a local festival as a step in the right direction.

The Ernie Pyle State Historic Site in the Vermillion County town of Dana will be open through Saturday as part of the Ernie Pyle Firemen's Festival.

The state closed the site in December and has sought to have it deeded or sold to community groups or local government.

The nonprofit Friends of Ernie Pyle hopes to vote on a plan to take over the site in September.

President Cynthia Myers says the group plans a national fundraiser to help pay operating costs.

The group also hopes to open the museum during the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in October.