Diverse Stories Highlighted in Heart & Soul Magazine

(October 2, 2020) –

Sharing the diverse and complex history of all Americans is part of the mission of the National Park Service and the National Heritage Areas program. The Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA) is comprised of 49 National Heritage Areas and promotes heritage-based partnerships and supports the effectiveness and impact of National Heritage Areas. The ANHA’s most recent publication, Heart & Soul, includes stories of diversity in National Heritage Areas across the country.

A man paints a mural in Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

In this issue, the ANHA stated their commitment to diversity and equality and addressed the ongoing national conversations related to race and racial inequalities, both past and present. The issue highlights diversity as the meaningful and significant representation of different cultural groups in heritage development, and equity as the existence of policies that empower communities to reach their full potential regardless of race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical/mental ability, or other defining factors. This is the first issue of Heart & Soul that focuses solely on the contributions of Latinx, African American, Native American, and Asian American heritage and history in heritage area communities.

The bridge connecting downtown Yuma to Quechan Tribal lands.

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

One of the stories included in Heart & Soul emphasizes the power of partnerships to build common ground and achieve community projects. In Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, the U.S. military took control of the Yuma Crossing from the Quechan Tribe in the 19^th century, creating decades of tension between the Quechan Indian Tribe and the Yuma community. Heart & Soul tells the story of how the Quechan Indian Tribe and the City of Yuma eventually built a close partnership to restore the historic “Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge” that reconnected both communities. The bridging of these communities ultimately led to a much larger project to restore 400-acres of wetlands along the banks of the Colorado River.

Just some of the other stories highlighted include the restoration of a historic Latinx mutual aid society building in Sangre de Cristo NHA (CO); the stabilization of a historic church in Augusta Canal NHA (GA); the establishment of a museum in Great Basin NHA (UT/NV) that recognizes the history of Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII; and an account of Baltimore NHA’s (MD) recollection of the 1968 race riots compared to more contemporary protests. The ANHA continues their efforts to recognize and promote diverse stories and places that tell America’s stories equitably and inclusively.

The latest edition of Heart & Soul is available here for download.

Discover more news and stories from America's National Heritage Areas.