In the state’s efforts to save money during these challenging times, few can blame fiscal watchdogs for turning an eye toward museums, parks and other cultural attractions. But before we go slamming the door on history exhibits, consider the role such resources play in making North Carolina a popular vacation spot.

The N.C. Program Evaluation Division estimates that reducing hours at seven locations and closing two museums altogether would save $1.9 million annually. Two million dollars is nothing to gloss over, but the state would lose something, too.

One of the suggestions, for example, calls for closing the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City. That would be a shame. The museum is a beautiful addition to Elizabeth City’s waterfront and drew about 72,000 visitors in fiscal 2010-11. That made the museum only ninth in attendance among the state’s 12 museums, according to the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

But 72,000 visitors hardly seems like a small attendance number – that’s about, 1,400 visitors a week.

The Program Evaluation Division also wants to consider closing state parks during winter months, an idea certainly worth considering.

But when museums begin shutting doors, the state loses a terrific resource for school groups and historians. It also loses a drawing card to outside tourists and visitors.

Is a savings of $1.9 million really worth giving up all of that?