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“The Blue and the Gray” Means GREEN for West Virginia

Few subjects have captured people’s interest to the extent that the American Civil War has—it is a defining moment in our nation’s history. For West Virginia, whose creation stemmed from the conflict and whose men fought on both sides, it is even more. Indeed the sectional differences between Union and Confederate supporters in West Virginia would define our state’s political history for decades after the guns were silenced. Sadly, West Virginia’s unique history was excluded in Ken Burns’ landmark PBS film, The Civil War.

As we approach the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to educate West Virginians, Americans and the world about our role in the Civil War and its context in the broader history of the era. We will have a chance to market our Civil War sites on a national and international stage. More importantly, research has shown that historic tourism—particularly Civil War tourism—boosts the local economy. To do this successfully, we must establish a sesquicentennial commission that will not only work with key stakeholders statewide, but also work in partnership with similar commissions in other states.

Economic Benefits of Civil War Tourism

In 2006, the Civil War Preservation Trust released its economic study Blue. Gray and Green: A Battlefield Benefits Guide for Community Leaders. According to this study:

• Civil War tourists are typically better educated and more affluent than the general population, with average salaries between $61,200 - $79,500
• Civil War tourists typically stay longer than the average visitor and are more likely to highly recommend a similar trip to friends and family. The study also found that 74.8 percent want to visit other nearby Civil War sites.
• Civil War tourists generate business for the local economy through lodging—70 percent of these tourists stay at least one night, food and beverages, transportation, shopping and entry fees (where applicable)
• Civil War tourists generate state tax revenues of $5.22 per visitor per day
• According to the Division of Tourism, information on Civil War tourism is the leading historic/cultural information request made by prospective out-of-state visitors, and second to just whitewater rafting in all requests. (State Journal – September 12, 2008)

West Virginia Tourism Is Already Vital to State and Local Economies

• Travel-spending generated $3.97 billion in 2006—approximately $10.9 million per day
• Tourism generated $546 million in state and local tax revenues.
• In 2006, visitor spending directly supported 44,000 jobs with earnings of $854 million
  (2006 West Virginia Division of Tourism Annual Report)

Historic/Cultural Tourists Spend More Money Than Average

• Visitors to historic sites and cultural attractions stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of tourists—$623 per trip compared to just $457, an increase of more than 36 percent
  (2003 Historic/Cultural Traveler Study, U. S. Travel Association and Smithsonian Magazine)