Heritage trails connect people with the natural and cultural heritage of the landscape they are passing through. From the Iron Ore Heritage Trail in the Upper Peninsula to the Huron River National Water Trail in southeast Michigan, the Michigan History Center is helping organizations create a deeper experience of place for trail users through its Heritage Trail Program.
Adding heritage to trails creates an attraction for heritage tourists, who stay longer, spend more and are more likely to return. For communities, heritage trail development can ignite pride, inspire learning and promote preservation. The Michigan History Center helps organizations around the state combine their heritage and their trails through:
For more information, contact Daniel Spegel at 517-420-6029 or SpegelD@michigan.gov.
Thinking of starting a heritage trail project in your community? Here are some resources to get you started:
Planning Your Interpretive Trail Signs and Exhibits
Attributes of Heritage Trails - PDF
Benefits of Heritage Trails - PPT
