Rio Blanco County

Cultural Heritage tourism

Heritage Tourism – what is it?National Trust’s definition of cultural heritage tourism is “traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes historic, cultural and natural resources.”

“History is an experience woven out of actual stories of people and places…When this is added to the interest that people have in travel—an activity in which they generally meet new people, visit new places, and experience new history—a range of activities collectively called “heritage tourism” becomes a desirable social and economic force.” Nebraska State Historical Society

“With respect to desirable activities and attributes, heritage tourists tend to rank preservation of historic areas, great historic towns, interesting historic areas/districts, local/unique shops, interesting fairs/festivals/events, and unique cultural sites as the most important attributes that would make a place enjoyable to visit.” The Economic Power of Heritage in Place: How Historic Preservation is Building a Sustainable Future in Colorado ~ Clarion Associates of Colorado, LLC

Heritage Tourism Includes –

Agritourism: any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine and cheese making, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts.

Heritage Tourism Includes –

Ecotourism: a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, and to directly benefit the economic development of local communities.

Heritage Tourism Includes –

Culinary tourism: experiencing the food of the country, region or area, and is now considered a vital component of the tourism experience. Dining out is common among tourists and "food is believed to rank alongside climate, accommodation, and scenery" in importance to tourists.

Lamb Cook-OffSheep Dog Classic

Heritage Tourism Includes – Rural tourism focuses on actively participating in a rural lifestyle. There is a segment of the urban population that is interested in visiting the rural areas and understanding the lifestyle.

Teaching our heritage to our children

Descendants of

Charity Brown >

Margaret Issac

Touring with their

grandfather, to

learn about their

historical roots in

the White River

Valley.

Posing in front of

furniture donated by

their ancestors

Moffat County School Tour

A learning center for history…

“78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural or heritage activities. These travelers—including visitors to museums—spend 63% more on average than other leisure travelers.”

The American Alliance of Museums.

RBCHS Tourism EffortsWilderness Exhibition

Events and photos on Colorado.com

Interactive with Trip Advisor

Advertisement in True West, Hunting Guide and Meeker Booklet

Over 1,500 visitorsthis summer!

“Visitors to historic sites and cultural attractions stay longer and spend

more money than other kinds of tourists.”

Northwest Colorado Heritage Tourism

To enhance our heritage tourism presence and attract visitors to our area, a Rio Blanco County Heritage Culture Center will…

(1) Provide mini theater for historic films and presentations, classes that enhance our historical culture, a venue for history camps, demonstrations, and heritage events, etc.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

(2) Partner with RBC Herald Times, Meeker Library and Historical Society to provide a Regional Research Center including a computer room with access to digital files of our collections, written stories, photos. Also, hard copy books that give facts and show pictures of the pioneer families in this region.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

(3) Staff and office Heritage Tourism Director to give Rio Blanco County an edge in the Heritage Tourism sector.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

Goal: Develop a Heritage Culture Center in proximity to the County Court House and Museum for cultural related activities in our county and to be used by other organizations, schools and anyone seeking to showcase and educate our colorful heritage.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

3500 sq feet

Radiant Boiler Heat

<< 70 ft. >>

1,092 sq ft

75-80

Art Display Art Display

RBCHS has accepted the challenge to head a steering committee for Heritage Tourism to broaden visitor base to the county and bring economic revenue to our area. To date, Meeker Chamber of Commerce, Town of Meeker and Meeker Arts and Culture Council have agreed to team up to make this a priority.

Other potential entities: Recreation District East and West, Local Scenic Byway Committee, Rangely Chamber of Commerce, County Economic Development, Northwest Colorado Economic Development as it pertains to Heritage Tourism, Northwest Colorado Cultural Heritage Tourism organization, History Colorado, Colorado Heritage & Agritourism Committee, Colorado State Champs Program, Colorado Tourism Office, the Colorado Historical Society and the Federal Byways Program, etc.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

Goals:Pursue grants to remodel and install big screen and

sound equipment to view historic films and to have live presentations of historical topics.

Partner with other county organizations focused on tourism to bring life to the center and make it the center of our cultural events.

Some counties in the U.S. have created a Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs or Historical Commission

RBC Heritage Culture Center

Coordinate tours and events that include surrounding attractions.

RBC Heritage Tourism

Collaborate in Historical Presentations

Rangely citizens, drama group or organization be in charge of historical presentation for Rio Blanco County Historical Society Quarterly Meeting on April 5th at RBC Heritage Center??

RBC Heritage Tourism

In a large wide open space area covering parts of Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota, several smaller and struggling organizations came together in a partnership focused on heritage tourism and revitalized their economy. They grew tourist numbers to 20,000 and capitalized on each contributor’s assets.

Taking advantage of Yellowstone National Park and the Native American stories from the three states, they created tours that would include the rural areas - showcasing their culture, tied in with pioneer culture and history.

RBC Heritage Culture Center

Dinosaur National Park whose welcome center greeted 19,585 visitors this summer and averages 28,000 visitors a year could also be a great tourist anchor to create tour loops around with similar success.

RBC Heritage Tourism

Meeker

National Park 100 years

•This year is Rocky Mountain National Park AND Dinosaur National Monument’s 100th birthday! 1915-2015•Create a Tour Loop from RMNP through Meeker and Rangely to Dinosaur National Monument.

MeekerMount Meeker

Meeker

Heritage tourism in Rio Blanco County…

RBC

Submitted by Rio Blanco County Historical Society