ANALYSIS OF MASON-DIXON’S HERITAGE TOURISM IMPACT REPORT “Both before and after the battle, sad and solemn thoughts come to the solider. Before the conflict they are of apprehension; after the strife there is a sense of relief; but the thinned ranks, the knowledge that the comrade who stood by your side in the morning never will stand there again, bring inexpressible sadness.” Charles Coffin Boston Journal Correspondent This section is divided into two parts. The boxes in shaded in gray are statements from the Heritage Tourism impact study provided by Mason-Dixon to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The commentary that follows debunks the many myths the report states. Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “Contrasting with the large body of literature examining the socio-economic impacts of casino development, there has been less empirical work conducted on the cultural impacts of this form of tourism.” This statement is simply false. Research into the cultural impacts of gambling on communities, cities, and states has exploded in academic circles since 20041. The majority of research has focused on the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina, along with communities outside the United States and American Indian tribes.2 During this academic publishing quarter alone, 23 separate articles across eighteen journals considered the cultural impacts of gambling – from regional impacts to local tribal issues. Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “…there have been significant social, cultural, and environmental costs…residents complain of traffic, poor parking, and loss of community identity…” As mentioned previously, Gettysburg holds a unique market niche and brand that must be guarded and protected in order for the heritage tourism industry to survive. Gettysburg‟s citizens and small businesses are the backbone of the heritage tourism industry. It is this sense of community that creates such a welcoming environment. Without a sense of community, there is no collective heritage. The initiative for heritage tourism development must come from within the local society itself, and the members of a community must value the potential of their heritage as a tourist product, 1 A basic electronic library search reveals 1,809 journal and book articles published from 2004 to 2010 that deal with cultural impacts of gambling. In most cases, the articles also cover the socio-economic aspects as well. 2 During the last academic publishing quarter, Hayden, 2010; Rhodes, 2010. Also see von Herrmann, 2006; Tierney, Bevc & Kuligowski, 2006; Paredes, 2006; Petterson, Stanley, Glazier, & Philipp, 2006; Momper,2010; Taylor & Kalt, 2005; Janes & Collison, 2004; Piner & Paradis, 2004; Gonzales, 2003; Fenelon, 2006. in order to widen their offerings. In order to do this, it is fundamental for the local population itself to establish a „„relationship of consumption‟‟ with its heritage. In other words, said heritage must be positioned strategically in the symbolic construction of community. The constant arguments over the introduction of a casino within the Gettysburg Heritage Tourism brand is destroying this sense of community and the family-friendly atmosphere that has existed in Gettysburg for a number of years. According to Mason-Dixon, a traffic light will be necessary in order to assist visitors in turning into the casino. Changes in the traffic patterns will only increase traffic issues and make it harder for visitors to the National Park to follow the driving tour. Since the casino will be located a half-mile from the park, the historic Emmitsburg Road will most certainly take the brunt of the casino traffic. Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “…Long (1999) reported that Deadwood, South Dakota, may be used as a benchmark for future policy…” Comparing Gettysburg to Deadwood is an apples-to-oranges comparison. Deadwood, South Dakota‟s history is 100% tied to gambling. The settlement of Deadwood, although illegal by federal law, began in the 1870‟s. The town lay within the territory granted to Native Americans in the 1868 Treaty of Laramie. The treaty had guaranteed ownership of the Black Hills to the Lakota people. However, in 1874, Colonel George Armstrong Custer led an expedition into the Hills and announced the discovery of gold on French Creek near present-day Custer, South Dakota. Custer's announcement triggered the Black Hills Gold Rush and gave rise to the lawless town of Deadwood, which quickly reached a population of around 5,000. The town of Deadwood became known for its wild and almost lawless social order, during which time murder was common. In early 1876, Charlie and Steve Utter led a wagon train to Deadwood containing what were deemed to be needed commodities to bolster business, including gamblers and prostitutes, which proved to be a profitable venture. Demand for women was high, and the business of prostitution proved to be a good market. Madam Dora DuFran would eventually become the most profitable brothel owner in Deadwood, closely followed by Madam Mollie Johnson. Businessman Tom Miller opened the Bella Union Saloon in September of that year. Another saloon was the Gem Variety Theater, opened April 7, 1877 by Al Swearengen who also controlled the opium trade in the town. As the economy changed from gold rush to steady mining, Deadwood lost its rough and rowdy character and settled down into a prosperous town.3 Gettysburg is a place known for a different kind of chaos – the death of 8,000+ young men on the fields of battle. These men displayed valor and sacrifice that led to America‟s new birth of 3 Lee, Lindstrom, & Lindstrom, 2004. freedom. To compare the sacrifice at Gettysburg to the lawlessness of Deadwood is reprehensible. Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “Fees and taxes from gambling should be used to support historic preservation..” The state of Pennsylvania will receive over 50% of the gambling revenue off the top. Local governments are guaranteed around a $1.5 million dollars to handle the social costs of having a casino in their backyard by the casino operators. The state also provides some funds for local governments to off-set costs. Any other “support” must come from raising taxes. The community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was promised that the steel mills, which made the 2004 National Trust for Historic Preservation‟s “Most Endangered” List, would be revitalized and their historic character protected. To date, no such revitalization has occurred. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation: “The developer's agreement commits to preserving several Bethlehem Steel structures, including the iron foundry, the former headquarters, the annex, the elevated rail ore- moving system, the blast furnaces, the ore bridge, the high house, the gas blowing engine house and portions of the massive No. 2 machine shop (the largest industrial building in the world when it was built in 1890). As envisioned, the Sands BethWorks will be a multi-use facility with housing, retail, events, and the casino, along with the National Museum of Industrial History facility. Owners have stated their intention is to make Bethlehem an "industrial-themed" complex. While promising, the greatest threat now lies with ensuring that the tremendous heritage of Bethlehem Steel remains visible without being overshadowed by the casino or "Disneyfied."4 Their promises have been nothing but empty ones thus far. In March, 2010, the Bethlehem City Council members decided to table a resolution urging Las Vegas Sands to complete the stalled hotel, mall and events center in a 5-2 vote after plans were announced to resume construction. As of March 3, 2010, the operator of Sands Casino Bethlehem announced that they would restart construction within the next several weeks, in an attempt to reassure lawmakers that reports that they were looking to sell the property were “unfounded.” With the current downturn in the economy, construction and preservation of the site might be delayed months, if not inevitably. Gettysburg cannot afford any more “out of character” commercialization and damage to the Gettysburg brand. 4 See the National Trust for Historic Preservation website - http://www.preservationnation.org/ Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “…the observation tower in Gettysburg was removed because it did shock with the landscape.” The observation tower did shock the landscape, but a casino would do far greater damage to the cultural, social, and economic environment in Gettysburg. Adding an adult-oriented gaming facility creates a confusing mix of America history with poker tables and slot machines. Heritage tourists will be offended, as studies have shown, and will not return to the area. The added traffic on the historic Emmitsburg Road is certain to become a problem during peak tourist seasons. The shock of the additional traffic will most certainly drive away repeat tourists. Billboard advertising and casino literature, along with the presence of the adult gaming facility will shock the contextual authenticity of battlefield and town. Although not a “visual” shock, the physical changes to traffic patterns, authenticity, and the historical spirit of the area will be quite visible. Mason-Dixon Heritage Tourism Impact Study “Some revenues should be channeled for historic preservation…” In correspondence to the country‟s largest Civil War battlefield preservation association, the Civil War Preservation Trust, representatives of Mason-Dixon referred to their efforts as nothing short of “prostitution” of the issue.