Colquitt County will soon be on the historical tourism map with assistance from the Vinson Institute. Tools being developed in the University of Georgia initiative, with leadership from Institute faculty, will help the rural Southwest Georgia county attract visitors, thereby contributing to economic development for the region.
The historical tourism initiative is being developed in conjunction with the larger University of Georgia Archway Project already under way in the county. Coordinated by the university's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, Archway works to bring the full range of university resources to counties facing significant issues related to rapid growth in order to help facilitate economic and leadership development.
Ed Jackson, Vinson Institute faculty member who is coordinating the heritage initiative, is well experienced in recognizing the value of historical tourism to economic development. In 2001, he served as chair of the Governor's Commission on Georgia History and Historical Tourism. "Our study revealed that while tourism overall is Georgia's second most important industry, we could be doing much more to promote heritage tourism as a tool in economic development. The structure of the Archway Project makes it a perfect fit for piloting a historical tourism initiative," he explains.
An important first step in the initiative was helping local leaders recognize that although their area may not have been the site of major historical events or battles, every community has its own rich legacy of history, Jackson notes. "Sometimes it takes an outsider to notice an area's distinguishing features that may get overlooked by local residents."
Assisting Jackson in the initiative are representatives from the Moultrie-Colquitt Chamber of Commerce, Mainstreet Program, Moultrie-Colquitt Regional Library, and the Museum of Colquitt County History. Taking a regional approach, they developed the Moultrie-Colquitt Online Resources Web site, to serve as a one-stop location for the public to find needed information about the area. Subject areas include history and genealogy, maps, government, statistics, educational links, and tourism.
The group then turned to compiling a comprehensive historical inventory of Colquitt County that will be divided into areas of interest and posted online. Still being finalized, it includes Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, street addresses, and photos of sites that promote historical tourism, like the county courthouse, buildings of historical or architectural significance, historical markers and plaques, statues and monuments, historical and archaeological sites, and cemeteries. Once completed, the inventory will also offer suggestions for walking and driving tours. View a sample of the inventory.
Other aspects of the Colquitt historical tourism initiative will include assisting Moultrie with a 150th anniversary celebration and conducting workshops for local social studies teachers on the county's history and government.
"We have had a very positive response to the initiative from Colquitt County leaders and from citizens," says Jackson. "They recognize that this initiative incorporates the ability to utilize resources already available to develop their county economically with the opportunity to promote and protect their history. We hope that the Colquitt project can serve as an example for other communities to model."
