"We The People" Project 2007
The National Endowment of the Humanities [NEH] supports a national initiative called We The People. Its goal is to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture through the support of projects that explore significant events and themes and advance knowledge of the principles that define America.
In September 2006, NEH awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $46,280 to support a state project entitled, “The Future of the Past: The Business of Cultural Heritage Tourism.” The Virgin Islands is beginning to revitalize its culture and heritage: there is an exploration of the economic benefits of preserving and promoting our culture and heritage through tourism, the mainstay of the Virgin Islands economy. The Virgin Islands Humanities Council in support of the territory’s need to enhance, develop and manage a successful cultural and heritage tourism product will execute a conference, VI Heritage Tourism Website and publication proceedings for dissemination to tourism leaders, cultural organizations, public and private sector leaders and members of the community.
2007 WTP Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference: "The Future of the Past: The Business of Cultural and Heritage Tourism"
Location: Carambola Beach Resort, St. Croix
September 14 & 15, 2007
Time: 09:00:00 a. m.
In order to develop trends in cultural heritage tourism and modes of economic empowerment through the celebration of the cultural and heritage of the Virgin Islands and the Americas, a Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference furthered the groundwork undertaken by local organizations. Two international scholars presented keynote addresses. The two-day conference also presented a multimedia exhibit entitled, “My Neighborhood, My Virgin Islands,” showcasing V.I. social histories. Approximately 18 scholars and entrepreneurs conducted workshops geared towards the following topics: Arts and Humanities, Historic Preservation, Education and Training, Economic Impact and Accountability, Promotion and Marketing, and Policy.
If you are interested in obtaining the DVD of the conference, please see ad.
The WTP 2007 Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference Proceedings
January 2008
The publication of cultural and heritage tourism information and plans will be produced in the form of WTP 2007 proceedings. The professionally edited documents will include the presentations of the scholars at the conference as well as a photographs and summaries of the multimedia exhibit. The Humanities Council will disseminate the WTP 2007 proceedings territory-wide. (Please visit our website http://www.vihcwethepeople2007.org).
The Virgin Islands Cultural and Heritage Tourism Website
January 2008
The Humanities will establish a site that details the various historical churches, forts and plantation ruins on all three islands. The website will map-out locations and list historical sites according to region and type of heritage tourism product. It will be linked to the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism website. (Please visit our website http://www.vihcheritagetourism.org).
For more information, please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate humanities programs, which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding and broaden people's judgment.