Historical Canon

Tourism is a huge industry both nationally and internationally, and Civil War tourism continues to be a driving force in the United States. Domestic and foreign travelers pumped $740 billion dollars into the United States economy last year; this industry has the potential to make a tremendous impact on both large and small communities across the nation. Supporting its mission to enhance resource conservation and economic development through heritage tourism, the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area has increasingly tapped the powerful positive impact of tourism on our state. Civil War tourism is a proven attraction, but often communities are not ready for the influx of people that want to experience their resources and hear their stories.  How do we use our heritage assets for economic opportunities while we also preserve those irreplaceable resources for the future? 

“Sustainable tourism” recognizes this need to balance tourism with conservation. The National Geographic Society, long recognized as a leader in this emerging movement, defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that sustains or enhances the character of a destination – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the economic well-being of its residents.” Because even the most careful and well-meaning visitors can put a strain on resources, it is important to recognize their impact and prepare for it. Striking a balance can be difficult, but it is critical for the long-term protection and vitality of Tennessee’s Civil War and Reconstruction sites. Civil War heritage tourists want an authentic experience, and sites that have been overdeveloped or poorly interpreted will not appeal to them. Damaged or neglected sites also do not attract or retain high levels of visitation. Also, growing communities facing development pressures must also find a sustainable tourism balance, so that development can be well-planned in a way that enhances rather than detracts from a community’s valuable resources.

Success Stories

In Middle Tennessee, the Heritage Area has worked with multiple partners in Franklin and Murfreesboro on sustainable tourism planning for their downtown battlefields. In 2007, Franklin’s Charge, Inc., and the Heritage Area developed an annual symposium designed to educate residents, tourism professionals, and others on the value their battlefield brings to Franklin. This value stems from increased tax revenues from tourists, public and private donations to preserve the battlefield and surrounding sites, and national recognition of the battle’s importance in the nation’s history. In Murfreesboro, the Heritage Area opened a major exhibit on the Civil War in Rutherford County at the downtown Heritage Center, with a focus on the July 1862 Battle of Murfreesboro and the resulting Federal occupation of the county. Finally, the town has a dedicated heritage tourism center in the middle of its historic downtown that will help stimulate economic development through increased visitation in an area that is already equipped to handle visitors and traffic.

Sustainable tourism initiatives have also taken hold in East Tennessee. Several gateway communities surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have realized that development and large crowds of visitors have strained the natural and cultural resources in and around the park. The region is rich in Civil War sites, natural beauty, and unique cultural traditions. Gatlinburg’s historic White Oak Cemetery, for example, contains the burial of several Union veterans. Residents and local agencies are increasingly looking for sustainable tourism options that will allow them to maximize high visitation levels while protecting the valuable resources that bring residents to the region in the first place. If the resources are not maintained, visitation and enjoyment (as well as economic benefits) are sure to decrease.

In Tennessee, Commissioner of Tourism Susan Whitaker is providing statewide leadership in developing sustainable tourism initiatives. She has partnered with the Heritage Area, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee to develop new programs that will advance tourism while protecting the valuable resources that draw those tourists to Tennessee. Commissioner Whitaker, Heritage Area director Van West, and Beth Phillips of UT’s Institute for Public Service carried out a series of town hall forums on the issue in November, visiting the communities of Maryville, Sevierville, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and Cosby to get ideas on what were the valuable resources and how sustainable tourism could benefit these five gateways to the Smokies. 

A second round of town forums is scheduled for late February. Then, Commissioner Whitaker will host a major Sustainable Tourism Summit at the University of Tennessee on April 28-29, 2008. Put that date of your calendar and plan to come to Knoxville to learn best practices on how tourism can be both an economic benefit and a conservation plus for our Civil War era resources.

West Tennessee is also active in sustainable tourism. One of the region’s premier Civil War sites, the Fort Wright powder magazine, sits on an eroded Mississippi River bluff in Tipton County. Working to save this site for its tourism and educational value, local and regional groups have partnered with the Heritage Area to develop a plan to conserve and interpret the site and make it easily accessible to visitors and tourists. However, the groups realize that first this site must be stabilized, restored, and protected from elements and neglect. In addition, its fragility will dictate how visitors will be able to visit and experience the site. The groups are moving carefully to ensure that this rare Civil War resource can be preserved at the same time that visitors are learning its significant story.  

Resources for Your Community 

There are a number of resources that residents in Tennessee can utilize to help create sustainable tourism initiatives in their communities. The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area works with groups across the state to help develop heritage tourism tools for Civil War era resources. The Heritage Area can assist with nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, historic structure reports that provide restoration guidelines, and heritage development plans that help outline the necessary steps to prepare for heritage tourism. Other organizations across the state can provide assistance with Civil War battlefield preservation, land conservation, and heritage tourism and development. National organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, have identified sustainability as a key preservation initiative and provide on-line resources for individuals and communities to learn more about sustainable tourism tools.

Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
615-898-2947
Civilwar@mtsu.edu
http://histpres.mtsu.edu/tncivwar

Tennessee Wars Commission
A department of the Tennessee Historical Commission
615-532-1550 ext. 104
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/hist/TnWarsCom.shtml

Cumberland Region Tomorrow
615-968-2698
www.cumberlandregiontomorrow.org

Land Trust for Tennessee
615-244-5263
www.landtrusttn.org 

To learn more about sustainability and sustainable tourism on a national level, please visit:

National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/

National Trust for Historic Preservation Sustainability Initiative
http://www.nationaltrust.org/green/