“That the future may learn from the past:” Exploring dark tourism in Colonial Williamsburg.

• In Event: Cultural Geographies of Space and Crime

Abstract

This research examines the role of dark tourism and ghost tours in Colonial Williamsburg in shaping public understanding of slavery and the genocide of American Indians in colonial America. As a living history site, Colonial Williamsburg offers both traditional historical interpretations and commercialized ghost tours that engage visitors with narratives of the past. By going on dark tours in Colonial Williamsburg, the authors explore how such tours represent the experiences of enslaved individuals and Indigenous peoples, assessing whether they reinforce historical inaccuracies, engage in omission, or provide meaningful engagement with difficult histories. Using participant observation, this research therefore seeks to uncover the ways in which dark tourism influences public memory and historical consciousness. The findings contribute to broader discussions on historical representation, ethical storytelling in tourism, and the commodification of colonial history.

Authors

• Favian Martín, Arcadia University

• Kevin Revier, SUNY Cortland