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 Great Circus in Milwaukee video image.

    In 2010, we traveled to Milwaukee and experienced one of the final editions of "The Great Circus Parade," a cherished event in the city’s history. Every year, the legendary actor Ernest Borgnine donned face paint, clown shoes, and his natural smile to lead this iconic parade. We were incredibly fortunate to witness this spectacular event and meet Ernest and his lovely wife. Ian even had the unique opportunity to perform in the circus!

  • Mudbug Festival radio show

    LEGACY SHOW: This show was broadcast LIVE through a former platform and under our former Travel'n On name. What began in 1984 as a 2-day street festival has blossomed into one of Louisiana's most popular Cajun festivals. We shared the tastes and sounds of the 25th Anniversary of the Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since 1984, this venerable event has been providing tourists with a variety of foods, beverages, beers, and live entertainment in the downtown riverfront region. There will be a variety of crawfish-eating competitions, including a corn hole tournament, a 5K run, and a crawfish-calling competition. The Southeast Tourism Society named the Mudbug Madness Festival as one of the Top 20 events in the country and as one of the most prestigious events in the South. The Mudbug Madness festival is fantastic. Every square inch of the festival site will be packed with intriguing vendors and activities, [...]

  • Philadelphia.love

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Today we'' talk about the well-known Louis Armstrong Park. On this edition, we travel back to New Orleans for a conversation with Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares, who talks about their latest project- Preserving Louis Armstrong Park. Then - well find out about all the exciting things happening in the city of Brotherly Love from Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter. And find out about a new TV show spotlighting one of Ian and Tonyas favorite destinations! The park is appropriately named for one of New Orleans' most well-known performers, jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong. It is situated in the Tremé area, which is home to many of the city's most celebrated jazz musicians. However, Beauregard Square was the previous name for the location of Louis Armstrong Park before [...]

  • graceland.memphis

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Hop behind the wheel of a 55 Caddy, and find out all about a very unique tour of the Memphis, Tennessee area that spawned musical legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King, and more. The musical legacy of Memphis, Tennessee, is quite rich and has been influenced by almost every mainstream cultural current in America. Fans of live music, regardless of genre, frequently go to the city and it continues to rank among the top locations in the nation. One of the best places in the country to enjoy the vast range of American music and discover the roots of blues, jazz, country, rock 'n' roll, funk, and soul is undoubtedly this city. Memphis, Tennessee, is to music what Paris was to art in the nineteenth century; its [...]

  • Missourt Black History Trail video thumbnail image.

    Traveling along Missouri's Black History Trail offers an immersive journey into America's rich and diverse past. Spanning from the bustling streets of St. Louis to the serene landscapes of the Ozarks, this trail highlights the significant contributions of African Americans to the state's cultural and historical fabric. In this video, we offer a glimpse of our travels along this historic trail.

  • Covered Bridge.BedfordPA.Kevin Burkett

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Ian and Tonya's Guests are Betty Slayton, President of the Bedford County Development Association.  She joins us to share all of the attractions that Bedford County offers.  Todd Gillespie, Managing Director of the Bedford Springs Resort, joins Ian and Tonya to talk about the Historic Bedford Springs Resort. The American state of Pennsylvania contains the city of Bedford County. It is highly recommended to come because it offers so many well-known sights, such as Old Log Church, Old Bedford Village, and Blue Knob State Park. The county of Bedford lies in South Central Pennsylvania. There are lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy, the prices are reasonable, and the people are pleasant. The countryside is also gorgeous. The city is slow-paced compared to most other areas! Old Bedford Village [...]

  • Inside the Sistine Chapel

    On August 15, 1483, the first mass was held in the newly constructed Sistine Chapel, marking a significant moment in the history of the Vatican and the broader Catholic Church. This inaugural ceremony was held to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, a key feast day that honors the Virgin Mary’s ascent into heaven. The mass also served as the chapel's consecration, officially dedicating this sacred space to the Virgin Mary.

  • Outside view of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

    On August 15, 1248, the cornerstone of the Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom as it is known in German, was ceremoniously laid, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most ambitious and enduring architectural projects in European history. The cathedral's construction, spanning over 600 years, was driven by a deeply religious purpose: to create a grand home for the relics of the Three Kings (the Magi), which had come into the possession of the Archbishop of Cologne. These relics, believed to be the bones of the biblical magi, were of immense religious significance, attracting pilgrims from across Europe and elevating Cologne to a major religious center.

  • Logo of American Red Cross

    In 1864, the Swiss government, driven by a humanitarian vision, extended an invitation to the governments of Europe and the United States to participate in a diplomatic conference in Geneva. This historic gathering was convened against the backdrop of increasing concern over the horrors and brutalities of war, particularly the suffering of wounded soldiers who were often left unattended on battlefields. On August 22, 1864, this assembly of nations reached a groundbreaking agreement that would forever change the conduct of warfare: the adoption of the first Geneva Convention, officially titled "Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field."

  • person drawing Frankenstein on brown board

    On this day, the world welcomed Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley, born in London, England. Better known as Mary Shelley, she was an English novelist, short story writer, and dramatist. She is most famous for her novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," which she wrote when she was just 18 years old. The novel, published in 1818, is considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction and remains a classic of Gothic literature.