PARANORMAL TOURISM AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION: AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SELECT HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND COMMUNITIES

Abstract

This thesis examines paranormal tourism as a hybrid subsector of cultural heritage and dark tourism to demonstrate the current issues regarding the acceptance and utility of site interpretation practice and its potential as a revenue source for historic communities and sites. Three underlying criticisms are analyzed—authenticity, destabilization of historical narrative, and exploitation of disenfranchised peoples—with solutions in interpretation practice to demonstrate the possibility that paranormal tourism can provide a primary or secondary source of revenue generation for historic communities and historic sites. Freeman Tilden’s Principles for Interpretation heavily influence the recommended interpretation practice suggested within the inclusion of paranormal tourism. Tilden demonstrates in his book Interpreting Our Heritage that interpretation provides the necessary historical facts within these stories for a complete historical narrative that addresses critical criticism topics. This thesis argues that paranormal stories offer additional context to historical narratives that can provoke the audience into an emotional response necessary to maintain interest in the historic site. I use a critical topics approach with case studies to analyze small communities, including Tarrytown, New York, Mansfield, Ohio, and Alton, Illinois, examining the economic impact of rebranding their communities as paranormal tourist destinations. I analyze three selected historic properties with a reputation for reported paranormal activity: the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville, Illinois; and Beattie Mansion in St. Joseph, Missouri. Using the solutions extracted from examining the issues in acceptance of paranormal tourism, economic data from the small communities and historic properties, and responses from the personal interviews I conducted with managers of each selected historic property, I have developed a toolkit for historic properties and communities to utilize when adapting traditional site interpretation for inclusion of paranormal tourism. This toolkit addresses the criticisms of paranormal tourism, including authenticity, destabilization of historical narrative, and exploitation, and provides real-world examples of solutions to combat these criticisms. In addition, practical information is provided, including marketing, tour pricing, and employment needs.