Heritage Tourism
parations for the 250th anniversary aration of Independence .
federal sources ,” says Fellows . “ Also , New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced in 2022 , $ 25 million in capital investments in 10 key stateowned historic sites .”
“ As we celebrate our nation ’ s 250th anniversary , it is important that our historic sites are prepared to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors that will undoubtably travel from around the world to witness these sites in person on such a momentous occasion ,” Governor
Murphy stated of the investment in the restoration of the Revolutionary War sites at the time .
The Six Goals of RevNJ While promoting heritage tourism in NJ to increase its impact on economic and community development is a key goal , Cureton notes RevNJ has six goals .
Telling a diverse and inclusive story of the past in which all New Jerseys can see themselves represented is another core goal , one which the organization embraces with enthusiasm , notes Cureton . “ That ’ s another part of what we ’ re doing here , to really try to paint in a picture of our past that ’ s much more inclusive than maybe what I experienced in 1976 during the bicentennial .”
The remaining goals include :
◾ Encourage the growth of organizational capacity at New Jersey ’ s history organizations to attract , engage , and serve visitors .
◾ Elevate the value placed on history education in K – 12 schools and universities .
◾ Demonstrate how understanding the complexity of history helps us to respond to the present and prepare for the future .
◾ Increase public and private funding for history in New Jersey . ining royal governor ’ s house in the United States .
Photo : RevNJ
How NJ Businesses Can Get Involved
For NJ businesses of all sizes , RevNJ aims to make it easy to get involved in the 250th anniversary through its Proud Partners initiative . And with the FIFA World Cup 26™ final in July 2026 coinciding with the Semiquincentennial , it ’ s really important for businesses to know is that this is going to be huge for New Jersey , says Cureton .
“ There ’ s a spot on our website where businesses can go and fill out an application form ,” she says , “ and really what we ’ re asking businesses to do , and all of our Proud Partners , is to embrace those goals . Think of ways that they can support those , that mission , and vision .
“ So whether it ’ s helping to us to promote what we ’ re doing through their own communications , whether it ’ s planning events at their own businesses that tie it to the 250th , maybe it ’ s a promotion . There are lots of ways for businesses to get involved .”
“ And there ’ s no cost ,” adds Fellows . “ There ’ s no cost for either businesses or communities to participate . We just want people to have a way that they can officially participate ; they get to use the RevolutionNJ Proud Partner logo on their website and in their material .”
Whether small or large , the Proud Partner program presents businesses an opportunity to get creative with participation . For example , a ballet school could put on a performance about conflict . RevNJ itself has been piloting Tavern Talks – interactive programs where reenactors immerse participants in the past using questions to help them explore the past , as well as
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October 2024 COMMERCE 13