CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM IN THE NEWS.... CURRENT NEWS

APRIL 16 - 30, 2009

Candidates Discuss Taxes, Heritage At Forum

4/29/2009
Bristol Herald Courier - Bristol, Tennessee

City Council candidates in Bristol, Tennessee were asked about a variety of issues at a community forum.  One issue was whether the city should financially support the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance’s plans to raise $10 million for a new cultural heritage center in a vacant building in Bristol.

Travel Oregon Invites Travelers to 'Take the Oregon 150 Challenge'

4/28/2009
PR Newswire (press release) - New York, New York

Travel Oregon has launched a travel promotion called “The Oregon 150 Challenge” to celebrate the state’s anniversary and encourage travel during the economic downturn.  Travelers can log on to TravelOregon.com/Challenge to register.  Travelers who “prove” they have experienced the required categories of Oregon attractions by submitting photos or stories about their experiences will be eligible to win one of several grand prizes.

Colorado Wants Residents To Stay Home For Vacation

4/27/2009
cbs4denver.com - Denver, Colorado
People tend to take shorter vacations closer to home in a difficult economy.  With this in mind, the Colorado Tourism Office is encouraging Coloradans to rediscover their own state.   Colorado tourists spent $15 billion in 2007, contributing $763 million in state and local taxes.  The Colorado tourism industry employs 150,000 people statewide.  The Colorado Tourism Office launched a new website at just as the City of Denver has launched a website with travel deals in Denver.

Area museums encouraged to develop Web sites for tourists

4/27/2009
Cumberland Times-News - Cumberland, Maryland

Museums in Cumberland, Maryland participated in a Downtown Futures Workshop as part of a larger effort to encourage more collaborative marketing.  The workshop encouraged use of the Internet as a marketing tool.

Folsom is more than another Gold Rush town

4/27/2009
Folsom Telegraph - Folsom, California

The Folsom Historical Society in California is bringing together local history groups as the “Folsom Heritage” coalition.  With help from marketing students at Folsom Lake College, this coalition hopes to develop collaborative marketing strategies for Folsom’s heritage attractions.

It's a good time to rediscover Colorado, Ritter says

4/27/2009
Bizjournals.com - Charlotte, North Carolina

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has declared May as “Rediscover Colorado Month” to encourage Colorado residents to visit destinations in the state despite the economy.  As part of this effort a new website at has been launched with deals for Colorado restaurants, hotels and attractions.

Museum marketing plans call for cohesive effort

4/27/2009
Cumberland Times-News - Cumberland, Maryland

In Cumberland, Maryland a city planner, the mayor and an economic development specialist are working with area museums to identify common themes such as transportation heriage to be used in a joint marketing campaign. 

County touts culture Web page

4/27/2009
NJ.com – New Jersey

Salem County, New Jersey has launched a new web site at that includes a countywide events calendar.  The Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission uses this calendar as a source for event listings in arts and history supplements for newspapers and other online listings. 

Smokies still smokin' at 75

4/25/2009
Maryville Daily Times - Maryville, Tennessee

The 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park kicked off on Friday, April 24, 2009 with a Governor’s Proclamation Ceremony at Clingmans Dome attended by community and government leaders from Tennessee and North Carolina. 

Historic Places, Stories Combine At Heritage Tours Memphis

4/25/2009
Memphis Daily News – Tennessee

Heritage Tours Memphis has been sharing the history of Memphis with visitors for 25 years.  This sightseeing tour company also manages Slave Havens Underground Railroad Museum and the W.C. Handy Home & Museum. 

"Heritage Tourism" to boost slumping visitor sector?

4/25/2009
KCAW - Sitka, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska anticipates a drop in cruise ship visits due to the economy and looks at ways to boost tourism.

Clifton Forge celebrates its railroad heritage during May festival

4/25/2009
ShenandoahValley.com - Fort Valley, Virginia

The C&O Historical Society in Clifton Forge, Virginia is promoting the development of a new tourism trail called the C&O Railway Heritage Trail along U.S. 60 and U.S. 42.

Front Door Politics: From the State House to Your House

4/24/2009
Wire - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Senate Bill 132 could combine several state agencies in New Hampshire into a newly created Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Tourism officials prepare for challenging season

4/24/2009
New England Business Bulletin - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Tourism officials in New England plan for a challenging tourism season ahead with deals, special events, and hopes of attracting daytrippers as well as others who are traveling closer to home.

New Group Is Formed to Sponsor Native Arts

4/23/2009
New York Times - United States
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is looking at potential closures for some state parks.  It is estimated that half the state parks are in poor condition, and there currently 200 infrastructure projects that would require $341 million in funding.  Michigan is one of a number of states struggling with budget shortfalls for state parks. 

Museum in the Works Is Losing Some Content

4/23/2009
New York Times - United States

The town of Ramapo, New York purchased “Crow House,” the Rockland County home of artist Henry Varnum Poor and plans to develop the property as a museum.  Preservationists are concerned because Poor’s son, who still owns the house’s contents, has been selling a number of items from the house.

Vote for your favorite Greater Boston historic site

4/23/2009
Boston Globe - United States

American Express has committed $1 million for Partners in Preservation in Boston.  Vote online for one of 25 historic sites to receive funding.  An open house will be held May 2-3 to showcase all 25 sites. 

$750 Million for 750 National Parks Restoration Projects

4/22/2009
Environment News Service – USA

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the National Park Service will invest $750 million in 750 park projects to create jobs and help preserve America’s heritage.

Cane River Creole National Historic Park and Heritage Area in Natchitoches getting $136,000 in grants

4/22/2009
Alexandria Town Talk - Alexandria, LA

The National Park Service has awarded $136,000 in grants to the Cane River Creole National Historic Park and Heritage Area in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Cleveland County stands to get federal funding with historical designation

4/22/2009
Shelby Star - Shelby, NC
Stakeholders work to build local support for a possible new National Heritage Area in South Carolina, the Southern Campaign of the Revolution. 

5 Heritage Fund grants left hanging in Florence

4/22/2009
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers - Casa Grande, Arizona

The Arizona legislature has reduced funding for Arizona’s State Parks, and the Arizona State Parks Board has approved the use of Arizona Heritage Grant funds for State Park operations.  The Arizona Heritage Fund was approved by voters in 1990 to provide $10 million from the Arizona lottery funds each year for grants to be administered by the Arizona State Parks. 

PA Tourism Blog Launched at 'savvygrouse.com'

4/22/2009
PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has launched a new blog called the savvygrouse.com to help travelers learn more about things to do in Pennsylvania.  The blog will be written by people who love to explore Pennsylvania, and other travelers will be able to add information about their own experiences, 

State's Civil War Discovery Trail provides a vital sense of heritage

4/22/2009
Times-West Virginian - Fairmont, WV
Five new historical markers were added to the statewide West Virginia Civil War Discovery Trail, a statewide initiative to highlight West Virginia locations with Civil War significance.

New Group Is Formed to Sponsor Native Arts

4/22/2009
New York Times - United States

The Ford Foundation has provided a $10 million grant to help establish a new  foundation that will support the work of American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native artists.  The new Portland, Oregon based foundation (Native Arts and Cultures Foundation) will provide grants and other assistance. 

Dozens of cultural programs imperiled as tourism tax falls

4/21/2009
TheDigitel - Charleston, SC

Tourists are spending fewer nights in Charleston, South Carolina’s hotels.  As a result, the Charleston County Council has less funding from the accommodations tax to fund cultural programs, festival and other efforts.

Creating a Master Plan for tourism

4/21/2009
St. Augustine Record - St. Augustine, FL

A county-wide tourism master plan has been developed for St. Augustine and St. John’s County.  Phase 1 recommendations include a connection to the University of Florida’s plan for state-owned historic buildings in St. Augustine, building a world-class interpretive center, adding bike trails and visitor centers, and highlighting Latin culture. 

Conference to Focus on Economy's Impact on Tourism

4/21/2009
Inside INdiana Business (press release) - Indianapolis, IN

The 2009 Indiana Cultural Tourism Conference on May 14, 2009 in Indianapolis will focus on the impact of the economy on travel and creative ways to attract cultural travelers

Cultural supporters to rally for arts on Circle

4/17/2009
Indianapolis Business Journal - Indianapolis, IN

The Indianapolis Consortium of Arts Administrators is organizing a rally called “Indy Culture Matters” to showcase the contributions of the arts to the city.  The 38 arts and cultural organizations in the consortium spend $50 million with local businesses and generate $468 million in yearly economic activity. 

Cultural Trust awards, round two

4/17/2009
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Portland, OR

The Oregon Arts Commission saw a 30% increase in applications for their Cultural Tourism grants this year.  26 organizations requested $207,769 in funding, and nine grants totaling $71,969 were awarded.

Woodbury Seeks to Capitalize on Its Heritage

4/16/2009
Litchfield County Times - New Milford, CT

The Woodbury, Connecticut Board of Selectmen have endorsed a proposal calling for the General Assembly to create a Connecticut Antiques Trail.  The proposal is part of an effort to promote tourism in a weakened economy.

Lowndes included in Miss. Hills Heritage Area

4/16/2009
The Commercial Dispatch - Columbus, MO

The Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, a 30 county region in northern Mississippi, has been designated as a National Heritage Area.

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