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| The Kentucky Crossroad's region has an impressive wealth of cultural and historic resources, clustered around its Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, African-American, agricultural, and religious heritages. There are also rich cultural arts and music threads. The region's historic sites - including the Lincoln sites, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Perryville Battlefield, and My Old Kentucky Home, as well as Maker's Mark and five Kentucky State Parks - are among its strongest assets. The RHDI is dedicated to enhancing the heritage tourism experience by providing updated heritage trails, telling the story of the region through an interactive Oral History project, partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council and Kentucky Historical Society in the development of the Lincoln Heritage Trail and subsequent Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway. Traveler information is highlighted in gold for ease in planning your trip. Interpretation Assessment An assessment of historic sites relating to Abraham Lincoln in the RHDI region was conducted and the report written to help give ideas to these sites to strengthen interpretive techniques in anticipation of the upcoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. This assessment was followed by an interpretation workshop on cutting edge interpretive strategies that make sites come alive for visitors. Heritage Tourism Survey and Analysis Through funding from the Preserve America program, a rural heritage tourism asset and infrastructure web based survey was conducted in the region. The survey created an inventory of listings on the National Register of Historic Places, listings of heritage sites that offer a visitor experience, e.g., sites open to the public as a museum, or sites that are part of an existing walking or driving tour. Also gathered is an inventory of heritage lodging, dining and shopping offerings as well as key corridors which connect heritage resources and enhance the heritage tourism experience. In addition to the information on historical significance included on traditional architectural surveys, this survey also collected information on pertinent visitor information such as hours of operation, admission fees, and visitor services offered at the site (gift shop, public restrooms, parking, etc.). All of this information has been gathered and will be used to create trails and data has been used to draft the attached report on heritage tourism opportunities in the RHDI region. Heritage Trail Assessment The RHDI recieved funding from the National Scenic Byway program to complete a Corridor Management Plan for the Abraham Lincoln Heritage Trail. The feasability study was completed to determine the best route for a National Scenic Byway through the region. The Corridor Managment Plan and subsequent Byway nomination will be completed in the fall of 2008. |
| The Rural Heritage Development Initiative is a three-year demonstration program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in collaboration with Preservation Kentucky and the Kentucky Heritage Council, to help develop and implement preservation-based economic development strategies in these counties. The initiative is funded largely through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation with match from within the region. |
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