Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
spotlight their industrial or agricultural history. One notable example is the National Colonial Farm in Accokeek, which is located in Prince George's County, Maryland. "In most areas, the historic view of farm life is through the lens of large plantations, which was not the actual norm during the colonial period," says Smith of the Prince George's County CVB. "The National Colonial Farm depicts life for an ordinary tobacco planting family – the poorer planters, tenant farmers, indentured servants, and slaves – in Prince George's County in the 1770's." Buildings on the site, which is a working farm, include circa 1770 farm dwelling, an 18th century tobacco barn, a smokehouse and an out-kitchen. "The kitchen garden features 18th century varieties of herbs, flowers, and vegetables," Smith says. "Historic varieties of field crops such as Orinoco tobacco, Virginia Gourdseed corn and Red May wheat are culti- vated on a seasonal basis and are the source for much of the farm ' s heirloom seed stock. The National Colonial Farm is a recognized leader in the field of historic plant preservation. On weekends, skilled interpreters lead tours of the farm, highlighting the colonial structures, fields, gardens, and animals. Visitors may also see sewing, cooking, spinning, dyeing, gardening, candle making, woodworking, and more." According to Hall, one the best places for heritage tourists to visit in her city is the African American Museum in Philadelphia, which has a new main exhibit called "Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876." "The exhibit . . . utilizes cutting-edge technology to pro- vide 10 realistic, full-size figures of trailblazers from the 18th century who engage and interact [with] visitors in dia- logue about their contributions to history," Hall says. "Additionally, visitors can experience first-hand how the Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 25 Photo Credit: Prince George's, County CVB National Colonial Farm, located in Prince George's County, Maryland.