Large photos documenting the move, which he experienced as a 13-year-old, line the walls of his museum in the town's main street.

But for many years, Mr Crispin has felt an appreciation of this unique history has been missing.

He thinks the Towong Shire hasn't done enough to realise the tourism potential of "the town that moved".

"They won't listen to anybody about town history, and haven't done ever since the town shifted," he said.

"Around about '68 or '69 a heritage group formed, I joined in '72 or '73, and we tried to do a lot of things.

"We've run two anniversaries in town. In 2001, thousands of people came from everywhere - blokes off oil rigs who had something to do with the move came - and everything was done off the back of our local heritage group.

"We repeatedly get asked by visitors why we don't have a picture story-board at the old town.

"So we designed one, four or five of us - even though we're not a registered historical society any more, we still have an account - and designed it after the ones they use in Indigo Shire.

"Two years later they've [the council] still done nothing."

Mr Crispin, who has been outspoken about recent upgrades to the township, has not been able to operate due to COVID-19 and has advised the public through a sign that he will not be re-opening.

"You come to a point where you can only bash your head against a wall for so long," he said.

Mr Crispin points to mural proposals for the township as an example of council not promoting Tallangatta's history in the right way.

The project links into the 'Destination Tallangatta' strategy which resulted in a new $2.6 million library and community centre and street and shopfront upgrades.

Three community engagement sessions were held about a town revitalisation, and the creation of artwork was identified as an opportunity to further enhance the area.

The first of four murals that has been proposed, 'Intrepid Spirit', would be created on the Tallangatta Laundromat Building.

After the design was put on Facebook by Towong Council, "positive and negative feedback" was received, and "due to this, staff have postponed the work temporarily".

The artist's brief describes the image, which depicts a young woman and a design linked to "Tallangatta's rail history and the notion of youth within the community".

"The design incorporates elements which represent the Boggy Creek trestle bridge at Koetong, the newly reinstated Sandy Creek Bridge and the High Country Rail Trail," the brief explains.

"The number of red posts in this design represent the 15 train stations along the original branch line from Wodonga to Cudgewa. The character portrayed in this design is no one person in particular.

"She is a representation of Tallangatta's youth - of the past present and future - the importance of youth to the towns growth, and history.

"She also represents young travellers who come from afar, to visit and explore all that Tallangatta and Towong shire have to offer."

Briefs for other proposals, one which includes the use of historic photos, reference connections to the move and the town's history.

The idea for the mural pitch 'Grow' was inspired by the fact that before the move in 1956, people in the community were worried about their gardens not growing in the new location.

The design features flowers that have a connection to the old and new town, such as the Kurrajong tree linked to the name 'Tallangatta'.

'Grow' is set to be painted on the Nicola Teek studio and store, owned by Charlotte Teek.

"I've been very pleased to be selected to have a mural on the building, and then to be part of the development with an artist who has put a lot of work into researching what would be appropriate," she said.

"I think it's lovely to have that part of the story told and presented with something beautiful."

Ms Teek said the negative responses to the mural proposals came from a vocal minority, and that there was room for all types of cultural heritage like museums and public art.

Towong Shire Mayor David Wortmann said in a statement that council "recognises the importance of Tallangatta's heritage in being 'the town that moved' and continues to look at ways to tell the township's unique story in an engaging way".

"The privately-owned collection at the Tallangatta Museum, managed by Mr Crispin, plays an important role in helping to tell that story," he said.

"While council hasn't been approached by Mr Crispin in recent times regarding the museum, we hope to meet with him in the near future to discuss the situation.

"Council continues to support Mr Crispin's idea for signage to recognise the Old Town.

"While the funding application previously made was unsuccessful, our council officers continue to advocate for funding and to bring the signage to fruition."

Cr Wortmann said the council had worked closely with community members throughout the Tallangatta Shopfront Revitalisation Project. "Community members who engaged with the open consultation process by taking part in one of the three consultation workshops, provided council and the artist with a brief on what they felt the murals should represent," he said.

Mr Crispin questioned how "an abstract painting" would promote Tallangatta, which was named the second "notable town" by the National Trust of Victoria in 2016, coinciding with the 60^th anniversary of the official opening of the "new" Tallangatta.

"What they want to put up around town has nothing to do with what we were, what we looked like, and how it happened," he said.

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"They just don't want to do what we need to do to advertise the town as a tourist town, a town that moved."

Mr Crispin is unsure what he will be doing with his building, but said many people had contacted him since news of his intended closure was shared on social media.

"I'm up in the air about that, I might consolidate it into an army display," he said.

"I suppose you could nearly blame the coronavirus, but before that you would only get a few little donations from people going into the museum.

"It all costs money to do."