Ways to Promote Rural History Part 1: Creating a Historic Site Tour
In recent months I have read several articles regarding the protection of historic rural areas. There were pieces that illustrated the work of groups around the country working to encourage the public to learn more about their local country sides and ways they may preserve them. I am currently the history chair of a volunteer organization, the Perryville Community Group (PCG). We are working to preserve the history of Perryville, a rural town in northeast Louisiana. As part of a multi-part series, I will explore ways PCG has worked to bring its area’s past into the present and share it with the community. These points maybe helpful for you or your organization as well.
Create a Historic Site Tour: On June 27 we organized our first historic sites tour showcasing the town of Perryville. The tour included a stop at various historic churches of the area, the homes of prominent citizens, and the estate of the founding family—the Perrys. Below are several steps we pursued to complete the event.
- Worked with some of the older people in the community and created a list of sites that were important to the town’s citizens.
- Completed short oral histories with them to hear stories from their childhood
- Did research on the sites to provide the tour presenters talking points
- Gathered photographs and a map illustrating parts of the town in the early 20th century.
- These also worked as visual aids on the tour.
- Partnered with a local farm—the owner provided a tour of his property, as well spoke to attendees about its history and the significant changes he had seen in farming over the years.
- University of California Davis has a great resource for organizing farm tours. Check out their website here: http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/agritourism/factsheet1.html
- Worked with local businesses, individuals, and churches—they sponsored the tour and provided refreshments as well as transportation for the group.
For more information on PCG, please visit www.perryvillehistory.org. Also if you are involved with an organization working to preserve rural history I would love to read your posts about it and its activities.
© Lydia Atubeh and A Journey through Cultural Heritage, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lydia Atubeh and A Journey through Cultural Heritage with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
