Engaging With the Power of Place

For centuries, visitors have traveled to historical places to understand the impact of past generations. In the past decade, the cultural heritage tourism movement in the US has been gaining recognition and momentum with an impact on the economy and quality experiences for tourists. This week I had the pleasure of attending a symposium produced by the New York State Cultural Heritage Tourism Network and the Upstate Institute at Colgate University entitled "Bridges to the Future, Empowerment through Collaboration."

Cheryl Hargrove, keynote speaker, termed cultural heritage tourism "as a mosaic of places, traditions, art forms, celebrations and experiences that define this nation and its people reflecting the diversity and character of the U.S." She spoke about sustaining cultural heritage tourism through increased local benefit and value to its residents, long-term impact, opportunities for collaboration, and expanding partnerships that demand authentic experiences for visitors. Historic, cultural and natural attractions are experienced through the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.

There were five guiding principles that were stressed throughout this program: 1) collaboration; 2) preserving and protecting resources; 3) making sites and programs come alive; 4) find the fit between community and tourism; and 5) focusing on authenticity and quality.

The program was a wonderful opportunity to network with other cultural heritage museums and sites from New York State, share experiences, identify future needs for networking, and learn about the resources available to help communities wanting to showcase their unique "Place." Spike Herzig lead the wrap up session that identified advocacy by participants as important future topic for discussion to ensure this part of the growing tourism industry is understood, recognized and supported.

The "new" cultural heritage traveler is preferring leisure travel that is educational, they want to engage with locals and will travel farther to get that experience.  Once again, I'm reminded that it's through the Power of Place and the people telling their unique and authentic stories, that is of most interest to visitors to our area.

Visit the New York Heritage Culture Tourism website at: http://nychtn.org

What's The Secret Ingredient?

Way down in the Southern west corner of Georgia sits a small town named Colquitt, with big dreams, and no limits.  I had the pleasure of visiting Colquitt with a population of 2000, not much bigger than Montezuma, attending a conference called, "Building Creative Communities, The Art of Storytelling, Community Building & Social Change."  It's taken me some time to digest all that I received from attending. In addition to the warmth of the Southern sunshine, a much welcome break from our winter here in Central New York, and their genuine southern hospitality, I felt a warmth that went beyond the sunshine. It was the heart and soul of a town alive that had been miraculously transformed. The air tingled with it;  you seen it in the smiles on their faces; and you heard and were touched by their voices as they humbly expressed from their hearts pride for their community.

What makes this town so special?  What is their secret? They learned how to think outside the box. The box that had them trapped in thinking the same old way. They changed from thinking of themselves as a place limited with nothing  (no-thing) to seeing what they already possessed and could tap into. The pride they have today was earned by breaking down barriers of the "norm" that was only supporting more of the status quo and coming into their greatness through their greatest resource --  the people.

According to Karen Kimbrel, one of the conference coordinators in a book published about Colquitt's progress, "What makes this community different from other small rural communities in the U.S. is the magic ingredient -- Creativity. Creative communities are different from traditional community and economic development models because creative communities rely on human potential, knowledge and capabilities as opposed to tangible goods and deliverable services. Also, rather than being physical place-focused, they are about human spirit......When creative projects enter the picture, people establish new and exciting networks to obtain social and economic entrees where before only walls existed preventing entrance." That is a powerful statement that comes from a new perspective of empowering people to use their own inborn gifts to create community.

So, Karen has given us the secret ingredient -- creativity.  We have people -- so we have creativity. The question becomes how can we go beyond the "norm," or have we become too comfortable or numb to the status quo?  Can we shake the box open a little and peak in to see what's possible. Karen said, "if Colquitt could do it, any town can." I'm going to hang on to that statement. What I came away with most from the conference was hope, because they helped me recognize and see what is possible. Thank you Colquitt!

NEW LOCAL CANAL HISTORY SITE LAUNCHED

Through unexpected funding from the Canal Corporation, the historical societies of Weedsport, Port Byron and Montezuma were able to have a new website designed that highlights the history of the canals in Cayuga County.  Mike Riley worked with web designer Adams Sweet of Sweet Designs to build the site. Check out the interactive map that leads to additional information and photos in each town. There are plenty of links to other resources and an events calendar in the works as well as other content that will be added.

Plans will be to build on the site to offer more material that will be especially useful to local teachers.

http://cayugacountycanalhistory.org/

DESIGN COMMITTEE MEETING INVITATION

There will be a Heritage Park Design Committee meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7 PM at the Montezuma Town Hall. Some of the topics we will be discussing are reviewing final designs ideas presented by the SUNY ESF students, signage, planning for the Canal Sweep clean up, upcoming programs for the year. At our last meeting we decided to make the last Thursday of the month our regular monthly scheduled meeting. This is an open invitation to join our committee, whether it's for one meeting or on a regular basis.

FINAL ESF PRESENTATIONS - A LOOK AT WHAT'S POSSIBLE

Last Tuesday was another cold, blustery night we've  become accustomed to here in Central New York, but the Halls of Montezuma were warmed with brightly colored visions and ideas posted on the walls of the town hall for what might be possible in the Montezuma Heritage Park.  Representative examples originally done by over forty students of Syracuse's 3rd year landscape architectural design studio last fall were presented by four of the student designers: Lauren Christler, Megan Reymore, Sara Russo and Kyle Weissenburger assisted by  faculty members, Cheryl Doble and Maren King.

Lauren Christler's focus points to an area off of Chapman Avenue
with linkage from past to present.

Most of the designs were focused ideas that linked our community's past Erie Canal history to the present.  Using natural elements of water, plantings and organic contoured paths throughout the park, their designs showcased our history using the remains of historic sites such as the aqueduct and paper mill.  This could be created through time lines flowing from the center of our town along the canal towpath to the park along the Seneca River. Monuments, statues, and an aqueduct sculpture featured throughout the site could tell the story of how the canal was built.  Several recreational activities would provide for fishing, cross country skiing, walking, hiking, picnicking, primitive camping sites,  boat dockage, bird and wildlife observation. Opportunities were seen for Erie Canal and natural resource education using open buildings that could later be enclosed.

The remains of the Montezuma Fibre Company on the south side of

the Enlarged Erie Canal could be made into a landscaped garden or a play area for children.  The site still contains the arched doors shown in the drawing here could be incorporated into the design. 

The 60' by 80' building was  on an eleven feet high foundation. The foundation walls are still on the site. The main building  was brick, two stories high with an attached boiler house 26' by 36', costing $22,000 when it was built in 1906. 

The mill produced a heavy-weight paper product from flag (cattails), known as "Montezuma Wheat" that grew in the 20,000 acre swamp that surrounded the area. The finished product was loaded unto the canal boats for shipment.

It was noted that popular tours that have been offered including the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Center and Howland's Island could include this site. Much thought and consideration was given to the landscape of the parkland with boardwalks to protect the land along the flood plain areas and enhance the walking experience.  While much of the park would maintain its natural setting needing little maintenance, it was suggested the park could provide wonderful opportunities for the youth in the community to work in the park.

The students had a variety of practical, creative and innovative ideas to share while keeping with the natural elements and incorporating the Erie Canal historic resources. The design committee will consider the ideas, and begin to create a phased plan for development of the park. Anyone interested is invited to attend the planning meetings to be held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the town hall. 

The Town of Montezuma was selected to receive community technical assistance from the 2011 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, and will work with Karl Beard from the National Park Service.  RTCA helps communities plan, organize partnerships and achieve on-the-ground success for projects they initiate. We are very grateful to the park service and SUNY ESF for support of our project.

Kyle Weissenburger focused on a Route 31 entrance with a nearby boat launch
marketing to New York State Fishing Clubs.

Maren King of SUNY ESF faculty member discusses student ideas with
Town Supervisor John Malenick;  Stan Longyear and Paul Baker, Design
 Committee members; Bill Hecht; and Karl Beard from the RTCA program at
the National Park Service.

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT - SUNY ESF PARK DESIGN PROJECT

The follow up meeting that had to be postponed in December for SUNY-ESF students to return with their final design ideas for the Montezuma Heritage Park has been rescheduled:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 @ 6:30 PM

Montezuma Town Hall

Dock Street, Montezuma

Unfortunately, we are not expecting  any of the students who worked on the project will be able to attend as they have moved onto to their next semester projects .

SUNY- ESF staff, Maren King and Cheryl Doble will share the results of the student's projects with us. 

Please pass the word on to other community members.  We need community input. 

Following the Feb 8th meeting, the Design Committee will be reviewing the ESF students projects and begin to develop a plan that will work for our community.  We will be taking into consideration all ideas and any concerns of the community.

Historic sites added to Parkland

Two important parcels of property have been recently acquired by the Town of Montezuma that will be included with Heritage Park project. They are significant historic sites that tell the story of the town's Erie Canal history.


Cayuga County transferred a 23-acre parcel of land west of the former Cayuga-Seneca Canal and along the south side of the former Erie Canal. The parcel is the site of the former Meil's Drydock which was first started by William Thorn and Joshua Martin in 1860.  The drydock provided a valuable service to canal business where boats were built, refurbished and repaired. The buildings in the background of the photograph above would have provided the necessary space for a  blacksmith to fashion the metal parts, bolts and nails; a saw mill to cut beams and planks, and for offices and storehouses.  Later in 1894 the business was purchased by George Meil of Veronia, NY.  Fifteen men were employed to repair boats,  build steamers and flag boats for use in the harvest of flag (cattails) in the swamps.

The other important piece of property purchased by the town is north of the present-day firehouse and at the entrance to the main trail head and former towpath of the Erie Canal. The Exchange Hotel in the photograph to the right was located here. It also had a stable to hold extra teams for the line boat compaines. Town Board meetings and elections were once held here. Built circa 1830, it burned to the ground on June 23, 1918, one of the oldest hotels in the village and on the Erie Canal.


This important site is near where the Cayuga section of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal opened in 1828 connecting with the Erie Canal. A crossover bridge allowed the mules and crews to move from the path along the Erie Canal to the Cayuga Canal. This was an important junction where boats headed either east to Albany or west to Buffalo as well as south to Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.