Heritage Tourism

In King County, tourists who stay overnight in our hotels, inns, and B&Bs pay a Lodging Tax that helps to support cultural organizations and landmark sites throughout King County, through the funding programs of 4Culture. With its Heritage Tourism Initiative, 4Culture seeks to spread the economic benefits of tourism countywide, by encouraging visitors to venture beyond Seattle's main attractions and explore the landmarks and landscapes of our smaller communities. Key partners in this initiative include the Association of King County Historical Organizations, the King County Historic Preservation Program, and the King County Roads Services Division.

Goals and Objectives of the 4Culture Heritage Tourism Initiative

• Raise the visibility of the history and heritage of King County suburban cities and rural communities
• Enhance the economic health of suburban and rural areas by increasing visitation to those areas
• Recognize historic attractions that embody best practices in heritage tourism
• Encourage high standards of "visitor readiness" among King County's heritage sites
• Support collaborative events and joint marketing efforts that focus on important themes in King County history

Heritage Trails Project

A primary outcome of the Heritage Tourism Initiative will be a series of full-color brochures and a website promoting three "virtual" heritage trails. Each trail will focus on a fundamental story line in King County's past: agriculture, industry, and industry. These themes will introduce visitors to Seattle's classic attractions (such as Pike Place Market, Museum of Flight, and The Center for Wooden Boats) to visitor-ready attractions in places like Black Diamond, the Snoqualmie Valley, Des Moines, Skykomish, and Kirkland.

These collectible booklet brochures will feature the best that King County has to offer, and include many alternate sites and routes of related thematic interest. Existing tourist literature, maps, and driving tours that are fresh and of high quality will be referenced to the greatest extent possible. Outreach to local chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus are planned while the brochures are in development. Once the brochures are distributed, a website that allows further exploration and custom itinerary planning will go online.

Future phases of the Heritage Trails project will reformat the content for distribution through other types of emerging technologies such as cell phone or audio tours.

The Heritage Trails project is funded in part by grants from Preserve America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and is a partnership with the King County Historic Preservation Program. Please contact Flo Lentz at (206) 296-8682 for more information on the Heritage Trails project, or to schedule a presentation for your group.

"Visitor Ready" Workshop Planned

In the fall of 2008, Preservation and Heritage 4Culture in partnership with AKCHO will sponsor the first of a series of workshops on getting historic sites "ready" for visitors. Experts in the field of heritage tourism will be invited to present on a few key topics such as interpretation, signage, marketing, or collaboration. Part of the purpose of the workshop will be to bring together professionals in the tourism industry with the stewards of historic sites, to share ideas about what works and what doesn't when it comes to attracting tourists.

4Culture "Golden Rain Globe" Award for Excellence in Heritage Tourism

In the spring of 2008, 4Culture will again formally recognize the steward of a King County historic place that best exemplifies the highest standards of heritage tourism. Last year, the award was presented by Executive Ron Sims in conjunction with the annual Spellman Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation, sponsored by the King County Historic Preservation Program. The 2007 "Golden Rain Globe" award went to The Center for Wooden Boats, for their outstanding public programs and nationwide marketing efforts.

This year, the 4Culture Golden Rain Globe Award will be presented at the annual AKCHO Awards, on April 22 at MOHAI.

Historic & Scenic Corridors Project Underway

The King County Roads Services Division is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of county roads that feature high concentrations of historically interesting sights, together with picturesque rural quality. Preservation 4Culture is providing project management services for this effort. The goal of the project is to identify routes that King County residents and visitors alike will want to explore in their leisure time. Rural economic development, and the preservation of historic character are also desirable outcomes. For more information on the Historic and Scenic Corridors project, contact Ruth Harvey at (206) 296-3477.

Harvest Farm Tours

Each fall, WSU King County Extension presents the annual Harvest Farm Tour throughout rural King County. For the past three years, Preservation 4Culture has helped to sponsor the event. Heritage farms are now included on the tour of some 30 working farms. Here visitors can find fun, hands-on activities designed to provide a taste of traditional farm methods and a feel for how historic farms evolve and remain viable in agriculture. For more information on the annual Harvest Farm Tour, contact Tricia Sexton at (206) 205-3206, or tricia.sexton@kingcounty.gov

Maritime Heritage Network

Since 2005, Preservation 4Culture has sponsored the Maritime Heritage Network, a web-based collaborative marketing effort among more than 80 western Washington maritime heritage organizations. MHN jointly promotes their many attractions, programs, and events. The website continues to grow its audience and add new features, including an interactive mapping application that helps area residents and visitors locate all things maritime in King County and beyond.

For more information on the Heritage Tourism Initiative, contact Flo Lentz, Preservation 4Culture, 206.296.8682.