In early May, we hosted a Russian delegation studying cultural preservation and community activism. The program, sponsored by the Institute of International Education, explored several areas of local culture, ranging from historical influences to environmental issues.
Arriving on a Sunday, the delegates began their stay with a leisurely day on the beach. On Monday, the group met at Plaza Ferdinand for an orientation to the area and led them on a brief tour of downtown Pensacola.
The delegates then met with Laura Lee, Media & Communications Manager of the Pensacola Convention and Visitors Bureau, to discuss promoting tourism to relatively remote areas. The meeting proved to be very informative for the visitors, who were particularly interested in how Pensacola differentiates itself from similarly-sized beach destinations.
After an enjoyable lunch at Portabello Market, where members of the group tried Florida’s hallmark dessert, Key Lime pie, the delegation headed to Fort Barrancas to meet Gulf Islands National Seashore Park Ranger Don Holifield. Mr. Holifield led a historical tour of the site and graciously stayed behind to talk and answer any questions from the visitors. As it turns out, battle reenactments are as popular in Russia as they are at Fort Barrancas. To better understand a major part of Pensacola’s heritage, the group spent some time in the National Naval Aviation Museum. One of the groups’ interpreters was especially excited to visit the navy base, as he attended pilot training at NAS Pensacola in his youth.
The second day of the program opened with a meeting at the Pensacola Historical Society, where Jacki Wilson, the Curator of Research and Collections, and her staff walked them through various methods of historical preservation and archiving. The visitors were also interested in how the organization finds and manages its manpower as its staff is largely made up of volunteers. After the appointment, the group was escorted on a tour of historic Pensacola by the society’s sister organization, Historic Pensacola Village, managed by West Florida Historic Preservation Incorporated (WFHPI). During the tour, the delegates observed “living history” demonstrations and learned about the educational programs sponsored by the WFHPI which allow cultural heritage to be actively displayed and promoted.
The last appointment of the program took place at the Native Paths Cultural Heritage & Resource Center, where the group met with Chief Bearheart of the Perdido Bay Tribe of Creek Indians to discuss the tribe’s educational outreach program. This meeting allowed the Russians to examine the preservation efforts of a smaller, unique culture.
The visitors wrapped up their visit by listening to music and dancing the night away at the Bands on the Beach event sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and Cat Country 98.7.
Thank you to Barbara Henry and Jennie Gulley for volunteering to accompany the group to many of their appointments and to everyone else who helped to make this program a success.
|
