Governor Cuomo issued a Press Release on November 2 launching the new “Path Through History” website. That alone was encouraging. But he did it “in recognition of New York State History Month.” This is the first time, so far as I know, that any governor has recognized NYS History Month, which has been on the statute books since 1997. [Read more…] about State History Month: Resurgence
Andrew Cuomo
New ‘Path Through History’ Website Launched
A announcement sent to the media says that Governor Andrew Cuomo has introduced a new Path Through History website in celebration of New York State History Month.
“The new website features streamlined visuals and user-friendly navigation to help travelers map visits to sites across the state using 13 unique themes that explore New York’s rich cultural and natural history,” the announcement said. [Read more…] about New ‘Path Through History’ Website Launched
Upstate Revitalization: Limited Inspiration from the Past
A few years ago, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a statewide “Revitalization Initiative” to help revitalize and expand the state’s economy. Job creation is the primary goal. Major state funding has been allocated and directed to a variety of projects. Last spring, the Governor changed the program to focus on the “Upstate Revitalization Initiative.” The overall goal is “systematically revitalizing the economy of Upstate New York,” in the words of the official guidelines. [Read more…] about Upstate Revitalization: Limited Inspiration from the Past
New York State Heritage Areas: Real or Not?
New York State has heritage areas – 19, scattered around the state.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) defines these areas on its website: [Read more…] about New York State Heritage Areas: Real or Not?
RIP The Path Through History Taskforce
Once upon a time, as all good fairy tales begin, there was a New York State Path through History Taskforce. Some of you may even remember it. August 28, 2015, marked the three-year anniversary of the failed project and since the NYS Historian who was a member of that taskforce has resigned, it is beneficial to examine the fate of this taskforce for the lessons it teaches about what happened. Will we learn from the past or are we condemned to repeat it?
At the kickoff event for the Path project, attendees received two glossy, multicolored booklets. One had a list of the “iconic highway signage” which was to be produced; the other had the conference agenda, a description of the regions with a listing of the selected sites, and the taskforce bios. [Read more…] about RIP The Path Through History Taskforce
Andrew Cuomo On The State of New York Tourism
Just before the July 4th weekend, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release on the state of tourism. The release covered tourism in its totality and did not address specific sectors like adventure tourism, winery tourism, historic tourism, and LGBT tourism, the four pillars of I Love NY promotions. It also did not differentiate between business, vacation, or shopping travelers. (Macy’s chief executive Terry Lundgren in 2013 called Macy’s “ a tourist place” with roughly 6,000,000 tourists a year).
That being said, the number of travelers to the Empire State from elsewhere is impressive and the economic impact is substantial. [Read more…] about Andrew Cuomo On The State of New York Tourism
Inside New York State’s History Tourism Bubble
The Albany-Manhattan bubble is a term I use to describe the alternate reality in which the New York State government operates regarding history tourism.
Recent events in New York, Albany, and Corning (The New York Times Travel Show, Tourism Action Day, a Tourism Advisory Council Meeting, and the Museum Association of New York Annual Conference), and the presentations and comments I heard from by the inhabitants of the Albany-Manhattan bubble, demonstrate a disconnect with the real world and little hope that anything constructive will be done to bridge that gap. [Read more…] about Inside New York State’s History Tourism Bubble
$900 Million Being Invested in State Parks
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has unveiled a seven-point framework of the NY Parks 2020 Plan that is expected to use $900 million in public and private funding to modernize the State park system.
The plan is part of a multi-year commitment since 2011 to restore facilities, enhance visitor experience, update signage and create better access for tourists at parks across the State. The 2015-16 Executive Budget adds $110 million toward this initiative. [Read more…] about $900 Million Being Invested in State Parks
Governor’s ‘Opportunity Agenda’ Passes Over History
Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued his “2015 Opportunity Agenda”. While there is no mention of the Path through History nor are history, historic sites, heritage tourism or historic preservation listed as targeted areas, it’s still of interest for those interested in the state of history in New York.
Governor Cuomo is not known for visiting the state’s historic sites and they are not included in what he sees as “opportunities” for 2015. It would appear that cultural heritage tourism involving historic sites doesn’t really rate high with Governor Cuomo. [Read more…] about Governor’s ‘Opportunity Agenda’ Passes Over History
New Expanded Edition Of ‘Capitol Story’ Published
Often celebrated as a masterpiece of civic architecture and decorative design, the New York State Capitol sits majestically at the head of Albany’s State Street. The story behind the most expensive capitol building ever to be constructed is a fascinating one.
Built between 1867 and 1899, the Capitol was the work of four different architects, who each worked under exasperating conditions – geological, structural, and political – with hundreds of highly skilled masons and exceptional stone carvers. After completion, the building attracted controversy – seen by some as an atrocity of jumbled architecture and by others as a successful blending of architectural forms. [Read more…] about New Expanded Edition Of ‘Capitol Story’ Published