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Heritage tourism gets federal dollars
Originally published 11:50 p.m., June 5, 2008
Updated 09:24 a.m., June 6, 2008
NATCHEZ — Natchez has the William Johnson house, the Forks of the Road or the Rhythm Night Club site, and now, they have the money to market them.
The Natchez National Historical Park has received $5,000 through the African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation to create a strategic plan for heritage tourism.
While the planning process won’t really be set in motion until September, tourism officials are pleased to know that a plan will be formed.
Kathleen Jenkins, superintendent of the park, said it’s the mission of the park service to represent all people of Natchez.
“That’s really what lies behind this,” she said. “This is a chance to bring everyone to the table.”
And all tourism entities will be involved in the planning process — the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African-American Culture the Friends of the Forks of the Road Natchez Pilgrimage Tours and more.
“Everyone is excited about this project and it’s very needed,” Jenkins said.
Ser Seshs Ab Heter- C.M. Boxley, director of the Friends of the Forks of the Road, agreed that having a plan to bolster heritage tourism is crucial.
“The plan is being designed to help the Natchez National Historical Park achieve equal history commemoration and preservation and presentation and interpretation,” Boxley said. “It’s about time.”
Tourism Director Connie Taunton said the plan will bring all black sites together.
“I think this gives us a chance to really put together a marketing tool for our heritage tourism,” Taunton said.
Darrell White, director of the NAPAC museum, said it’s important for everyone to work together.
“It’s important that in order for (the plan) to be effective we must all operate collectively, similar to five fingers on one hand,” he said. “There’s far more strength when they come together as a fist.
“Each entity has been attempting to operate independently and it’s time for us all to come together.”
Natchez has plenty of black historical sites to tap into.
“It’s a gold mine,” Boxley said referring to Natchez. “Now we’re posed to be able to mine its slavery, Civil War and Civil Rights gold mine.”
And the time is right, as heritage tourism is gaining more popularity.
“There’s more and more interest in heritage tourism,” Jenkins said.
Mimi Miller, director of programs for the Historic Natchez Foundation, said the same.
“There’s an increase in heritage tourism,” she said. “If you’re not a historic town you can’t decide to be one. We’re one of America’s best historic towns.
“We know we have all the components and we need to strengthen it and make sure that everyone else knows that we’re one of the greatest historic towns.”
Jim Coy, manager of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, implemented a heritage tour this year during Pilgrimage.
“The Other Side of the Story,” took Majestic American passengers to Melrose, Forks of the Road, NAPAC and more.
“I’ve heard wonderful comments and reports from people on the boat who’ve taken this tour,” he said.
The park has partnered with the Mississippi Heritage Trust to help them create the plan.
“We passed the grant money to them and they’re spearheading the process from this point forward,” Jenkins said.
David Preziosi, executive director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, said they are going to hire a consultant to help form the plan.
“We’ll be following through with the consultant to make sure they get the work done,” he said.
Correction (June 6, 2008) — The story published in the Friday, June 6, edition of The Natchez Democrat about the grant received from the African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation incorrectly stated the amount of money awarded. The Natchez National Historical Park received $5,000. The above story has been corrected. We regret the error.
Comments
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a good thing that has happened, but it is an unfortunate metaphor that Mr. White chose to use.
Posted by ladyrider (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for pointing that out, Sam. I read the article fast and skipped over that part. Why on earth would he want to make a divisive remark and say "they to come together as a fist"?
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That struck me as odd too, sam and lady. Isn't that the Black Panther's thing? Surely he didn't mean it that way.
I'm glad this is coming together. Now every part of Natchez's history can be told appropriately.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some people have a problem with moving forward . (In reference to Mr. White) I like seeing Natchez embrace its history and then use it for our future.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
White needs to explain his statement.
I'm tired of being beat down by the White man.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps ,anytime anyone does or says something that could result in negative thoughts about you or your race is the culprit . That means Mr. White is the one that beat your race down, not the White man . I see you recognize that by the capital"W" in White . Good man !
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the word 'heritage' a code word for black stuff? I suppose us Scot-Irish-Anglo dash Caucasian-Europeans don't have any "heritage" to speak of, right?
Jes axin.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No I think it means after a couple of hundred years of history being about white achievements this particular 5000 bucks is for other than that.
For years the ladies at the garden club and most homes have preferred to center on the aspects of history that were ...a bit more acceptible.
I think at this stage of the game white folks that are there begging for equal time every time some black cause gets some money are pretty pitiful. Imagine folks that have run the country forever demanding something from the government as if they were welfare cases, He,he!
Posted by triscuit (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've met Mr. White. I'd be surprised to find out he ever put his five fingers together for that purpose, he seems so nice. I'm sure he just misspoke. You don't always have time to plan what you're going to say when the ND calls.
Wow, wish it was $500,000! What a letdown!
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
southernbelle. Tryin to unnerstan yo postis. I bout pale as a weddin dress. Sarcasm? Satire?
More power to all this stuff. Anything that will bring in people to our one industry. Gives bozley more chances to get his pic in the paper. He seems to like that. Makes Natchez like all those messican border towns. People coming in to ogle the local yokals and buy things.
Like the jarheads over in San Dago who go down to T Town to see and do things.
Doesn't bozley sell that lotion or whatever to make your hair grow back? He needs to rub some on this cue ball.
heh heh heh. gwb laff. heh heh heh
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
triscuit, I agree with you. I have met Mr. White and a nicer person you cannot find in this town. I don't think he meant anything more than 5 being stronger than 1.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Could have just been a mannerism of the subject or ? Maybe he used his terms just in a collective manner?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is an old saying, I remember hearing it before.
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, its an old saying and I'm certain that it had nothing to do with punching out heritage tourists.
Marc
Posted by Mutato (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does one feel threatened at the thought of unity within the Black community? Does it mean that those who have been in power and controll must now share the throne? Millions of dollars have been spent in the telling of the Natchez Story, and now that the suggestion that a few dollars be spent in other areas and a call for unity result in unkind words and thoughts. It was once against the law for more than two Blacks to be seen in public together, for fear that they were conspiring against the powerful. If that's how some of you still want to think today?
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mutato...I may have started this by observing the metaphor, but I assure you that I don't think in a way that you describe nor am I against people, whatever their race legitimatly sharing power.
I still think it was just an unfortunate choice of words that may have made some feel uneasy...another description of the new unity of resources may have been more appropriate...don't let this thing get out of hand.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder why after all the jobs are lost in a small southern town,we can get federal dollars for tourists and to line the pockets of greedy politicians,We completely upgrade our main roads completing the Natchez trace,We can get funds for countless road projects,the economy in Natchez is on rock bottom or even lower....Gas is almost,$4.00 a gallon,course that was late this evening,it might be 5 dollars when i wake up,and in the middle of this depressed town and economy,you try to leave the side of the road and you can,t get on the highways for the traffic...mmmm that is strange...only in America.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We,re all the same inside. It doesn,t matter what the color is. The ones that work the system,the no-pays,nits,should not be paid to for being non-productive.Why would someone who doesn,t work be rewarded with the fruits of the others labor?The ones,that is the older folks,black,white,all colors are the ones that don,t seem to get what they need. The ones that are able bodied are rewarded for doing nothing except going towards another generation teaching the young ones how to receive the freebies. It does no one good to be taught that way of life.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here are a lot of federal dollars at work.
It is interesting that the federal government provides a
single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00
and each can also get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of$2,470.00 .
This compares very well to a single pensioner who after contributing to the growth and development of America for 40 to 50 years can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012.00 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!
If we have some good luck,maybe we can get the refugees cut back to
$1,012.00 and the pensioners up to $2,470 00 and enjoy some of the money we
were forced to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 years.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
texasranger...and what in the wide world of sports has any of that got to do with a tiny $5,000.00 grant to fund planning to make the sites economically viable as tourist attractions. Are you accusing the people involved of being "no-pays, nits" and "non-productive"?
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am side-tracked somewhat with the latest postings?
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
naw i,m just kinda tired of the sad story,the color thingee
It,s been run in the ground and yakked about forever.
It is primary in the minorities discussion,it is brought up as a personal attack on whoever,which it,s not. It,s the dodge or scam or whatever you want to call it that most folks use relentessly to avoid or dodge or discuss most of the topics,It comes in sooner or later,for whatever reasons.
Even if it,s just commentors arguing over it. It,s on the news all day,in every corner of society and somebody is always doing them wrong, the no-pays,non-working nits,and non-productive whoever in this USA. It has all to do with it,If they can scream and holler foul at every turn,why can,t we?? Or do we just never have an opinion,they do,whenever they please, It comes up in the oddest times and the oddest topics. It came up in this one before i mentioned anything about the system, So i guess you can just go fish or read over it. Their used to be a regular that came in a night club,she was always saying her man did her wrong,and she had a lot of men over the years. Isn,t it strange that she never did anything or was at fault. That is what a lot of the constant racial whining reminds me of ...her.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It has a lot to do with the federal dollars. They are being given away at a alarming rate. If they didn,t spend so much on giveaway programs and illegals and whoever is working the system, maybe they could have more to help where it,s really needed.Course if you don,t care if the illegals or the ones getting the freebies keep getting the tax money,that,s your opinion and choice,not mine.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
texasranger...I agree with you to some degree...the Federal government's budget is around 85% for entitlements and the rest is discretionary spending which includes military expenditures...it's just insane, but I think this isn't the battle to fight in that war...it's just not worth it and the cause is a good one.
Posted by bombingeight (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think these numbers for the federal budget expenditures are more accurate:
Defense 20%; Other discretionary 31%; Interest 9%; Medicare and Medicaid 19%; Social Security 21%
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bombingeight...you're figures are more correct than my original off-the-cuff remark, I found these numbers via google...21%Defense, 21%Social Security, 19%Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, 9%Safety net programs, 9%Interest and 21%discretionary spending...the numbers though are still insane no matter how they are sliced, but this pitiful amount isn't worth the hew and cry of some here.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The tourism homes, their owners, and guides have been getting knocked for only telling one side of the story. How do you know this? Have you taken the tours? I have and the guides always give great talks about all the slaves accomplished. The slaves were working under what we would call duress, yet they made some magnificent building with bricks they fashioned themselves. They solved technical problems of the times. The guides do not leave these facts out or attribute them to the white owners. On the other hand, when you begin telling all this on the heritage tours, you will also have to include the white owners who did not mistreat their slaves. Their only offense was the ownership, but if they had given them freedom, they would have ended up owned by someone else or harmed. Each of you have to admit knowing some folks like that. They could buy or sell you ten times over, but you would never know it from their attitude, and they work right beside you. We all have to get to the point of there being good people, bad people, or lazy good-for-nothings and that is more important to realize rather than skin color.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Like i said it may not be worth it to you,but what is a concern on here to some is not even thought of by others.
That,s why it,s opinions on here. What,s worth it on here is whatever is on here. Your points are not always how others see things. Some probably place no importance about what others think,but others do. Still it,s our choice and right to say how we feel on this comment section. if you excluded how others feel and say it,s ..........but this pitiful amount isn't worth the hew and cry of some here. That,s your opinion,undoubtly you have plenty of money or more than you need because some are living on a fixed income and every dollar is precious. So it is worth the bother and it is important to others,maybe not to you,but like i say,that,s your opinion and you have a right to it, but don,t critize others for their opinions or blow off their remarks like it has no worth,perhaps if it hit closer to home it would be more important to you. We actually need to have more opinions and be more involved in all aspics of who controls our tax dollars. The ones who receive such monies actually scream and rant and rave much louder than us,the ones who actually pay with a lifetime of work.So if you haven,t worked hard and paid taxes for 40 or so odd years,and are still paying,maybe it doesn,t mean much to you.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have worked hard over a lifetime, and no I'm not rich and I do care how our government doles out money to those non-deserving, having said that, I still think that this is a worthy cause and the amount is so small that you're wasting your breath over it when there are much larger issues to deal with...don't begrudge these folks the ability to tell this side of our history.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't the Forks of the Road and the Old Homes get togother and tell the "WHOLE" story? If everyone wants to know the "whole" story what is the problem?? Tell it all tell how slaves were owned (no surprise evryone knows that) tell how many children the owner had by his slaves,tell how the slaves helped to build and structor things,how the slaves were treated be it good or bad....Tell how much it cost to feed and cloth them versus how much they should have made if on payroll...Tell it all....Forks of the Road do the same tell how there were white slaves as well as black ones who started slavery and why.....
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The different races,colors,tribes,illegal immigrants of all colors and sizes don,t like most white folks. They don,t like us anymore than we like them,unless you have worked years and years with different people and experienced a lot of contact with different ones,it,s easy to say everybody is against them. Wait till you had a nit for a releif on your job wanting to go home for about 30 odd years or so, or have to do most of their work because they were to sorry and or lazy to do the work. The goverment protects them,they know it,you know it and everybody else knows it,so why carry on all the charade,most folks hang with their own kind. That is human nature. They don,t like you but they wiil use you and your money,or the goverments. I personally never gave a rip about slaves, never had one.
Never mistreated anyone who gave me the same respect,no matter who they were. So why don,t ya,ll let all the past go,most of the time it just stirs up folks,because it,s mostly used as a way to get somewhere or get something they want.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
one cent is too much to give away,or even a tenth of a penny. If its yours and i owe you,then i will pay you. If it,s mine i want it,every cent.That,s what Joseph Califino the head of H.E.W said, We have about 2 billion dollars unaccounted for in H.E.W,every year. He said on national TV,and that,s about the norm for H.E.W.
2 billion dollars unaccounted for. They should have put him in Angola on death row at the least. I would have sentenced him to life without parole if I could have,
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
History don,t feed us or pay our light bills,or buy our gasoline.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
texasranger...what a sad commentary...I hope folks of other persuasions don't think that all of us white folks agree with you.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I really don,t care what other whites think.It,s an opnion that,s all,it don,t mean squat actually.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You obviously don't care much about what anyone else thinks either...thank goodness, "it don,t mean squat actually."...your shining example is one of the reasons both white and black racism survive...simple, uneducated, totally ignorant bigotry and prejudice, blissfully unaware or uncaring of the consequences for yourself or for your progeny.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 8, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really would like for you to find someone else to comment about. what you do,think,or have an opinion on really doesn,t enter my day. Find someone else to aggrevate.
Your opinions are yours. Lay off me.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 8, 2008 at 2:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Then lay off the black folks which you seem so intent to inflame...I've got a right to disagree with you...regardless of what you would like...you put your foot in your own mouth...it's a big foot and a big mouth...you want a break, give us one.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the same pockets that have received the tourism monies all these years,helped run off who knows how many businesses that wanted to locate in Natchez,but moved on somewhere else. Just like the Fat Mama,s tamales trying to build a new business and catching all kinds of flack from the same folks over and over...stupid,,,,,They make everyone that doesn,t conform ...struggle..bigtime
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 1:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hang in there Ranger!
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