This morning, we took a drive to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. That’s where we were introduced to Dan and Michael, the owners of Connellsville Canteen World War II Museum and Café and the Harry Clark’s Indian Creek Valley Railroad Display. We had a discussion and lunch provided at the Café, and Michael showed us some marketing plans to get more attractions to Fayette County. After our lunch, Dan told us more about the history of Connellsville and what the town has to offer for tourists. The most intriguing thing I learned was the bike trail and how there are hundreds of tourists always biking through. After seeing and hearing how Dan and Michael manage and sustain these cultural landmarks show how tightly connected Connellsville’s historical businesses are to its town pride and local business identity.

After Dan gave us his presentation, we visited a stained glass company located in Connellsville. There, we were shown the factory and how they produced stained glass, and how there are people from all over the world who stop in to buy a piece, especially artists. The way the co-owner explained their whole process was interesting and showed that they have no problem with attracting tourists. At the end, we even got to keep two pieces of stained glass as a souvenir.

Our last stop was Comfort Inn, which was ranked the best Comfort Inn in the United States! There, we learned how they attract so many tourists, especially because they are so close to the trail. Their strategy goes beyond just selling rooms, as they have rental bikes and canoes, which I’ve never seen a hotel do before. Right next to the hotel, too, is a local restaurant they partner with and an event spot. The hotel acts as an economic gateway for the whole town, as they constantly bring in new tourists. They also have a pamphlet of what to do in the county and Connellsville, such as the infamous architectural piece Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright just fifteen minutes away. I had also asked Dan a question about off-season revenue, since that is my focal point, and he had stated that skiers and snowboarders stop at the Inn all the time during the off-season. Through these conversations and insights about Connellsville, I will definitely try to integrate some ideas into Carrigart. The whole experience was crucial to preparing me for what’s to come in Northern Ireland, and my project as a whole.