- July 26, 2026
- Kelly C. Ruffel
Preservation New Jersey (PNJ) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Heritage Tourism Workshop Series, a comprehensive seven-part educational program designed to help historic sites, nonprofit organizations, museums, local governments, and preservation advocates prepare for the unprecedented opportunities presented by the nation’s Semiquincentennial and New Jersey’s continuing commemorations through 2033.
As communities across New Jersey commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and related historic milestones over the next several years, the workshop series will provide participants with practical strategies to enhance visitor experiences, strengthen interpretation, expand audiences, and position historic resources as sustainable heritage tourism destinations.
The program is intended for historic site managers, museum professionals, nonprofit organizations, municipal officials, Historic Preservation Commissions, tourism professionals, volunteers, and community leaders working to celebrate New Jersey’s history while building long-term organizational capacity.
“New Jersey is home to one of the nation’s richest collections of Revolutionary-era and nationally significant historic places,” said Paul Muir, President of Preservation New Jersey. “The upcoming anniversary period presents an extraordinary opportunity to welcome new visitors, tell more inclusive stories, drive economic development, and build lasting partnerships that will benefit our historic sites well beyond 2026. This series is designed to provide the tools and resources organizations need to make the most of this historic moment.”
Heritage Tourism Workshop Series
The seven-part certificate program will feature expert instructors from across New Jersey and beyond, combining best practices in preservation, tourism, interpretation, marketing, and visitor engagement. Sessions will be offered in both virtual and hybrid formats, with in-person workshops hosted at historic sites throughout New Jersey. Every in-person session will also be available virtually, allowing participants from across the state to attend.
Participants who complete all seven workshops will receive a Certificate in Heritage Tourism and Visitor Readiness from Preservation New Jersey.
Current workshop topics include:
- August 22, 2026 – Heritage Tourism 101: Foundations for Sustainable Sites
- September 26, 2026 – Telling Your Story: Interpretive Planning and Inclusive Narratives
- October 10, 2026 – Visitor Experience and Site Readiness
- October 24, 2026 – Contemporary Technologies in Reconstructing Lost Architecture
- November 7, 2026 – Marketing, Promotion, and Public Awareness
- November 18, 2026 – Collaborative Heritage Trails and Regional Linkages
- December 6, 2026 – Sustainable Operations and Community-Based Tourism
The topics throughout the series focus on creating visitor-ready destinations, strengthening interpretation, leveraging technology, improving marketing, expanding accessibility, and developing sustainable heritage tourism initiatives that support local economies and preserve New Jersey’s historic resources.
Registration is free for Preservation New Jersey members and $20 per session for non-members.
Additional information and registration are available at www.preservationnj.org/programs.
Supporting New Jersey’s Historic Places
The Heritage Tourism Workshop Series is made possible through funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust’s Discover New Jersey History License Plate Fund.
Established in 1967, the New Jersey Historic Trust advances historic preservation throughout the state through preservation-sensitive public policy, grant funding, and educational initiatives. The Trust works to ensure that New Jersey’s diverse historic resources remain protected and accessible for future generations.
The Discover New Jersey History License Plate Fund, established in 1995, is supported through donations and the purchase and renewal of the Discover New Jersey History license plate. Featuring a Victorian-style row house from a painting by noted New Jersey artist Harry Devlin, the program provides grants that help develop and promote visitor-ready historic sites as heritage tourism destinations across the state.
