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.

  • The Hershey Story. Image showing the outside of the Hersey chocokate Store in Pennsylvania. Photo Courtesy of Hershey, PA

    As Valentine’s Day approaches, love, romance and chocolate step into the spotlight. This love and chocolate thing dates back more than 1,500 years to the Maya and Aztec cultures.

  • goldsboro art square

    Many people know the story of the African American town Rosewood from the movie about the massacre, but how many of us have heard of Goldsboro, Florida, the second black incorporated city in the United States, which also thrived and was subsequently destroyed?

  • Madison

    Located on Lake Mendota shores in Wisconsin, the city of Madison comes alive yearly, bringing joyous laughter, vibrant colors, and a spirit of celebration.  Wisconsin is known for its diverse culture and community that hosts various seasonal celebrations, transforming the streets into multicolored festivals.  Madison is an oasis for adventure seekers in search of memorable and unique experiences. If you plan on visiting south-central Wisconsin or just moved there, here's a list of yearly festivals in Madison you can partake in. Winter Events (December 21 to March 21) In winter, there are various festivals in Madison WI, and events to look forward to. The calendar of events in Madison, WI for winter includes: Dane County's Farmer Market The Dane County Farmers Market usually holds an indoor holiday market on Saturday, which leads to Christmas weekend. The location is the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The market event usually features [...]

  • Belgium.Wallonia.Dr . Les Sa

    When families think about European getaways, Belgium rarely tops the list—especially not the lesser-known southern region of Wallonia. But for travelers seeking cultural depth, historical resonance, and immersive nature experiences, Wallonia offers a compelling counter-narrative to the usual family travel and tourist trails. This isn’t just a detour from Brussels; it’s a portal into a richly layered region where forests meet fortified citadels, and artisan chocolate shares space with monastic brewing traditions.

  • Eatonville mural of Zora Neale Hurston. scaled

    I've driven by the exit off Interstate 4 just north of Orlando, Florida, dozens of times, and always wondered about Eatonville. You can see the sign from the freeway that reads "Oldest Incorporated African American Municipality in America." Recently, I decided to take the exit and finally explore this city of deep significance to our country.

  • Black family traveling

    Black History Month has been celebrated annually since the year 1926. First termed “Negro History Week,” Black History Month is honored each February.

  • WF AT Four in Greensboro NC Photo Civil Rights Trail

    As a Southern-born white woman, incorporating Black history sites into my travel plans never crossed my mind… until I married a Black man.

  • turks and caicos

    Serene white sand beaches. Tropical cocktails garnished with slices of fresh fruit. Catamarans floating through turquoise water. Images like these tend to be the first to come to mind when thinking of the Turks and Caicos Islands. But this tropical destination, which has stringent COVID protocols, has much more than luxury resorts to offer travelers.

  • MardiGras mask.pixabay

        Hint: You won’t find it in Louisiana.   “We really cherish all our Mardi Gras traditions here.  We’re very proud of them.” It was that sentence uttered by the woman at the museum’s front desk that got my attention.  I had certainly never thought of anything about Mardi Gras as a cherished tradition.  This gave me an inkling that I was about to get a serious education for my $8.00 admission.  To find the truth about Mardi Gras and its traditions, travelers need to visit the Mobile Carnival Museum in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Street view of the Mobile Carnival Museum. Photographed by Scot Terry. (Public Domain) My guide went on to say, “New Orleans has the larger Mardi Gras.  Theirs is five times the size of ours, but ours is family friendly.  You’d get arrested in Mobile if you tried half the stuff that they get away with on [...]

  • 02. Sunrise over the volcano complex of the Tengger caldera. scaled

    The small village of Cemoro Lawang is perched on the fringes of an undulating stretch of fine volcanic sand. This is Laut Pasir which, in Javanese, means Sea of Sand. My hotel, Bromo Permai, has a charming lobby that overlooks this unsettlingly unearthly territory.

  • Drum lanterns light the night sky. scaled

    The Lunar New Year is celebrated across Asia by gathering with family, decorating the house with red couplets and giving red envelopes with money to friends and colleagues. Also known as Spring Festival in China, this 15-day celebration starts on January 22nd and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 5th.

  • fried whole fish colorful rice sprinkled with raisins chapati flatbreads scaled

    Culture can be explored in many ways — through conversation, clothing, dance, music, and more. As a recipe creator and food photographer, I’m a firm believer that food is one of the most intimate ways to connect with another culture.