Heritage Tourism and the Historic Preservation Movement

Heritage Tourism: Grassroots Effort

Heritage Tourism development seen as a preservation strategy Economic benefits1980s the emphasis was on “education with historic resources.” No funding.

National Trust (partnering with American Express) How to succeed in Heritage Tourism, 1993

Focus on Authenticity and qualityPreserve and Protect resourcesMake sites come aliveFind the fit between your community and tourismCollaborate

Heritage Tourism: Grassroots EffortHeritage Tourism development seen as a preservation strategy

Economic benefits1980s the emphasis was on “education with historic resources.” No funding. Looking for value. What is the value of the National Register program?

National Trust (partnering with American Express) How to succeed in Heritage Tourism, 1993

Focus on Authenticity and qualityPreserve and Protect resourcesMake sites come aliveFind the fit between your community and tourismCollaborate

the dark side

Push back to tourism

Commodification of History

Need for new locations (“Turning Up the Stage Lights”)

Regional Approaches

The New Millennium

Preservation Discourse Matrix

Dimensions of value

Relationships among types of Preservation

Why Tourism?

Economic BenefitsAddressing the Dark Side

Commodification of History

Developments use history to sell houses– Naming patterns– Theming of destinations

New values of Preservation

Unappreciated aspects of our history– Technology– Native American

regional approaches– Amish in Indiana

The New Millenium

Honoring the Past, Imaging the futureSaving and sharing what is valuable.