Session

About this Session

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, Darley Newman’s session will explore how New Jersey destinations can leverage heritage tourism to attract travelers and further preservation by inspired storytelling, cultural preservation, and meaningful connection during the 250^th and well beyond.

Drawing from her PBS series Travels with Darley: Revolutionary Road Trips, which includes segments filmed across New Jersey, Darley will:

• Showcase exclusive clips from Travels with Darley highlighting the state’s Revolutionary War heritage and cultural landmarks.
• Discuss how heritage tourism and partnerships can amplify destination visibility through road trip storytelling and cross-state collaboration.
• Share best practices for leveraging content partnerships, local narratives, and media engagement to sustain long-term visitor interest and preservation.

Panel Segment:

Darley will invite subject matter experts (SMEs) featured in the Travels with Darley New Jersey episodes—such as historians, tourism leaders, docents—to join her on stage.
Together, they will discuss:

• How collaborative storytelling strengthens tourism, economic development, and civic pride.
• Lessons learned for other sites and stakeholders looking to maximize similar opportunities through America 250th initiatives and well beyond.

Panelists may include Jonathan Mercantini, Dr. Wanda Lundy, Mark Nonestied, Sara Cureton. Will Krakower, Carrie Fellows, and / or Tom Loughman.

These local changemakers who truly care about New Jersey and its history may also further inspire audiences and also connect with them for further community building.