Diversifying eastern North Carolina heritage sites: tour guides’ perspectives

Abstract

Tour guides from six Eastern North Carolina heritage sites were interviewed to assess minority participation. The sites in this study focus on museums, plantations, and towns. A further comparison was done between site ownership: private and state. The interviews were coded, which provided themes to reasons behind lack of participation, what exhibits minorities show interest in, and potential solutions to boost minority participation. Sites were also assessed on how the information located within each site was presented. In order to perform site assessment, content from a guided tour along with inventorying of site gift shops was completed.Finally, recommendations were assessed based off of the guides' interviews and the tours.