Gauging Latino Interest in Historic Places and Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail, Tucson, Arizona.

Summary

Given the rising number of Hispanics living in the United States, it is important that the National Park Service (NPS) explore the ways Hispanic individuals understand and use national parks, historic places and historic trails. Exploring Latino perspectives is key if NPS is to collaborate with Latino communities, preserve the meanings and stories attached to historic places, and ensure that historic places remain relevant and accessible to present and future generations. Drawing from literature concerning applied anthropology and critical heritage studies, this paper uses focus group discussions with Latinos living in Tucson, Arizona to explore how these individuals understand and use national parks, Hispanic heritage, and the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail. This paper posits that these focus group discussions add to a dialogue concerning American Latino heritage by identifying site and heritage components that make historic places more relevant, accessible, and representative of Latino communities. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• National Park Service Archeology Outreach and Education at the Centennial   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 558