About Heritage Weekend
What is Heritage Weekend?
NY Heritage Weekend celebrates the state's unique role in Shaping America. From New York City to the Capital Region to Buffalo and everywhere in between, Heritage Weekend features special programs, lectures, tours, re-enactments, and discounted admission at heritage and cultural destinations. The event is made possible through partnerships with federal, state and private organizations and hundreds of volunteers at heritage destinations who plan and present Heritage Weekend. As a kick-off to the tourism season the event has tremendous impact- not only in terms of connecting visitors with heritage attractions, but also in generating tourism dollars. New York's history is a profound competitive advantage for the state. Protecting, preserving and promoting our heritage resources is a critical component of economic development and revitalization of communities throughout the state. Heritage Weekend demonstrates the power of leveraging our cultural and historic resources.
What kind of events are
“Heritage Weekend” events?
Heritage Weekend events can include special programs, discounted or free admission, or any event that celebrates national, state or local heritage. Historic sites, museums, architecturally significant buildings, local historians and historical societies, battlefields, historic districts, community groups and any resources that connect directly with New York State heritage are all invited to participate and get involved. Themes for Heritage Weekend events include: Military History, Arts and Culture, Corridor of Commerce, Innovation, Architecture, Freedom and Dignity, Traditions and Cultures, Community Heritage. These themes are intended to broadly represent the diverse heritage of New York State.
Heritage Weekend 2011:
New York’s story was front and center during New York Heritage Weekend May 14-15, 2011. This celebration of the state’s unique role in shaping America attracted over 20,000 visitors. From New York City to Albany to Buffalo and everywhere in between, Heritage Weekend featured 166 special programs, lectures, tours, re-enactments, and discounted admissions at heritage and cultural destinations.
The event was made possible through partnerships with 143 federal, state, and private organizations and over 1,160 volunteers at heritage destinations. As a kick off to the tourism season the event made an impact—not only in terms of connecting visitors with heritage attractions, but also in generating tourism dollars.
In a recent study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, more than 118 million adults, 78 percent of all U.S. leisure travelers, participate in cultural or heritage activities while traveling, spending nearly $1,000 per trip and contributing more than $192 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
New York Heritage Weekend was a great success as a result of the enthusiasm and commitment of the many partners that organized and hosted Heritage Weekend events. New York Heritage Weekend 2011 was funded in part by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service and National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation provided access to the rich diversity of New York’s Historic Sites.
We thank all the people and organizations that worked hard to make Heritage Weekend so successful and we look forward to working with them to grow the event next year. The attendance numbers demonstrate that our partners’ enthusiasm was matched by the enthusiasm of residents and visitors alike. Through the power of partnerships, this event showcased our rich and diverse heritage and served as a tourism and economic driver for communities and regions throughout the state.
More than anything, Heritage Weekend pointed to the great value of investing in our State’s historic and cultural resources. New York’s history is a profound competitive advantage for the state. Protecting, preserving and promoting our heritage resources must be included as a piece of an overall approach to economic development state-wide and in revitalization efforts in communities across the state.
For more information, email us at hrvg@hudsongreenway.ny.gov.