Cultural Heritage

Delve into the rich tapestry of humanity’s cultural heritage, encompassing arts, history, and beyond.

With over 3,800 distinct cultures worldwide, as cataloged by anthropologists and recorded in Price’s Atlas of Ethnographic Societies—a number potentially underestimated—we can only begin to fathom the profound influence of these myriad cultural legacies across the globe.

Cultural heritage, as defined by Wikipedia, comprises the tangible and intangible assets inherited by a society from past generations. Not all remnants of the past qualify as “heritage”; rather, heritage emerges through societal selection.

This expansive term encompasses a vast array of elements, including customs, beliefs, rituals, arts, music, and more, shaping culture and behavior. It extends to practices related to the natural environment, religious and scientific traditions, language, cuisine, and even cyber cultures in the digital realm. Emerging cultures of the present are poised to become the heritage of the future.

Below, discover a diverse array of cultural heritage assets, ranging from the architectural influences of Indigenous communities to the impact on fashion, cuisine, and beyond. These narratives also shed light on historical events, viewed through the lens of contemporary society.

  • Orphan Train Museum

    In the United States, the population exploded in the late 1800s and early 1900s due to massive immigration, especially in Boston and New York City. Much of the population at the time consisted of impoverished families. If one parent died, the other often could not care for the children. As a result, many of these children were put on orphan trains and sent away to be adopted or sometimes indentured by families across the country.

  • young adult wearing white shirt and Merino wool boxers underneath

    Merino wool, sourced from prized Merino sheep, is not your grandmother's scratchy sweater material. It's a natural fiber that boasts remarkable properties perfect for the sweltering heat of summer travel. In this article, learn how this wonder-fabric is ideally suited to the rigors of summer travel, whether it’s urban exploring or back-country trekking. 

  • Juneteenth image showing a brown leather strap around a black person's hand raised high in a fist in front of a white textile background.

    Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19th to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. With a rich and significant history, Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and provides an opportunity for all communities to reflect on the importance of freedom and equality.

  • Black History on Florida's Historic Coast. Celebrating Juneteenth.

    Best known as the nation’s oldest city, the mention of St. Augustine, Florida conjures up images of a centuries-old fort, swaying palm trees, glistening beaches, the Fountain of Youth, and an abundance of fresh seafood waiting to be devoured. But there’s so much more to Florida's Historic Coast and much of that lies within the area's Black history.

  • Churchill statue rotated e1655343728534

    In this World Footprints podcast, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick explore the life and times of Winston Churchill, his impact on the world and his relationship with the small town of Fulton, Missouri (MO).

  • gay pride balloons

    Cities across the States get a little more colorful as groups of people come together to celebrate Pride each year in June, with rainbow flags and clothes to symbolize gay pride.

  • Ka Do Ha Mounds

    Just outside the small town of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, a sign near the entrance of Ka Do Ha proclaims it as the “home of the world’s largest diamond.” I think the village itself is a precious gem. Ka Do Ha is a beautiful mix of authentic scientific knowledge and tourist attraction fun you do not want to miss.

  • Georgia Culture

    European, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences intertwine in Georgia where two continents converge. You’ll see this through the architecture of Tbilisi where Art Nouveau mansions jostle alongside Persian-inspired courtyard residences and the bevy of spices and foodstuffs at markets. Although Georgian Kartuli with its unique alphabet is unlike any other language, its rhythm and some vocabulary overlap with Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and Aramaic.

  • The,Colorful,Cathedral,And,Cross,In,San,Cristobal,De,Las

    All roads seem to intertwine here in San Cristobal, making this destination a booming town for emerging artists from all over the world. It's the type of place where you can sit back and stay awhile taking in the sights, sounds, and colors passing through the bustling Andador Real de Guadalupe – perhaps over tapas and a cheap glass of Malbec at La Viña de Bacco, a long-time favorite.

  • Little Rock, Arkansas History

    Little Rock began making history dating back to August 24, 1818, when the Quapaw Line was drawn, creating the boundary between the Quapaw tribal lands and lands available for settlement by westward-moving Americans. The treaty referred to La Petite Roche, an outcropping of rock on the Arkansas River, by its American name, “Little Rock,” believed to be the first official use in a government document of the name. It continued to rock history into the future.

  • Fort Charlotte on St. Vincent shows a canon overlooking the island. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

    In the grand scheme of world travel, Saint Vincent often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Some might say this little island should stay hidden to avoid the effects of mass tourism. But keeping such a beautiful place a secret would be a real shame. Saint Vincent, part of the Grenadine Islands, is a true paradise with its own unique charm and rich history.

  • Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion y de San Frutos scaled

    The air hangs heavy with moisture. The illusion of stillness is the prelude before the story unfolds. Frowns appear in the sky. 2,000 years ago, the dramatic sky would have convinced the inhabitants of God’s wrath. Redundant chimneys of the slate-roofed houses stand as remnants of the past, but they are not the only ones here.