Heritage Tourism Workshop Program 6: Digital Storytelling for Historic Sites and Collections

This seven-part professional development series equips historic site stewards, preservation professionals, municipal leaders, and community advocates with practical tools to strengthen heritage tourism, enhance visitor experiences, and promote sustainable preservation. Through expert-led workshops, participants will explore topics including heritage tourism planning, inclusive storytelling, emerging technologies, site readiness, regional collaboration, marketing strategies, and sustainable operations.

Designed to support New Jersey’s historic sites and cultural resources, the series highlights innovative approaches to interpretation, public engagement, and community-based tourism while preparing organizations to leverage opportunities associated with America’s 250th commemoration and beyond. Participants will gain actionable strategies to increase visitation, foster economic development, build community partnerships, and ensure the long-term stewardship of historic places.

By bringing together leaders from across the preservation, tourism, and cultural sectors, this program creates a collaborative learning environment that strengthens connections between historic sites, local communities, and visitors while advancing the preservation of New Jersey’s rich and diverse heritage.

Program 6: Digital Storytelling for Historic Sites and Collections

Program Moderator: Cristóbal Espinoza, History Professor and Public History Coordinator at Middlesex College

Session Description

In this workshop, attendees will work on developing stories based on their site’ collections and objects. They will learn to apply story telling principles and practice video recording and editing. Attendees are expected to bring objects from their historic site or personal collections to practice storytelling skills. Finally, participants will consider strategies to use those videos to build up their social media presence.  

Target Audience: Historic Site Stewards, Museum Professionals, Preservation Organizations, Tourism Professionals, Community Planners, Main Street Organizations, and Heritage Trail Coordinators.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Engage with storytelling principles.
• Apply story telling principles to historic objects and collections.
• Record and edit a short clip.
• Consider strategies for developing social media presence.

About the Speaker: Cristóbal Espinoza, History Professor and Public History Coordinator at Middlesex College. Within history courses, Professor Espinoza teaches students to create content for social media based on local historic sites. He also teaches certificates on Community Journalism and Content Creation and Oral History and Digitization within Lifelong Learning and Continuing Education at Middlesex College.

This program is supported by the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Event Registration

Preservation New Jersey Members Attend FREE!

Current Preservation New Jersey members receive complimentary admission to this event. To reserve your spot, please look to your membership letter to use your member reservation code. If you are having trouble – email info@preservationnj.org

Not yet a member? Join Preservation New Jersey today and enjoy this event free, along with other exclusive member benefits. Become a member here: https://preservationnj.org/product/membership/