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Published Sunday, November 16, 2008 in Local

Moreland tourism push is on

By News Staff

The Times-Herald

"What a wonderful treasure!"

Pam Mayer, director of the Coweta County Convention and Visitors Bureau, was visibly enthused as she toured Moreland's historical attractions. She has already been promoting the town, its museums and other activities, but her visit gave her a chance to see the town first hand and to talk with tourism boosters.

The host for Mayer's visit was Mayor Pro-Tem Josh Evans, who will become mayor in January. "We've always had the welcome mat out. We just need to let people know," he said.

Evans also is president of the Moreland Community Historical Society, which overseas the Old Mill Museum in a former hosiery mill building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building also includes a large meeting space with a kitchen and the town's offices.

Others along for part or all of the half-day visit were local residents Dale Bowers and David Dean, Deborah Smith of Images, Dudley and Elaine Stamps of the Lewis Grizzard Memorial Museum and Winston Skinner of the Erskine Caldwell Birthplace and Museum.

Skinner is also assistant news editor at The Times-Herald.

The group met for an initial discussion in the town hall, then proceeded to the Old Mill Museum and took a look at the meeting space. Smith then gave the group a tour of her antique shop and the Images gallery which includes exhibit and instruction space.

The group also visited the museums named for Caldwell, the author of "Tobacco Road" and "God's Little Acre," and Grizzard, a Southern humorist, columnist and author. After lunch, the group also visited Cedar Hill, the 1850-era home of Skinner's parents.

Mayer said tourism interest is up, even with the tight economy. She said people need a break from their daily lives, and many are looking for something interesting close to home.

Moreland, she said, offers authentic small-town experiences which will appeal to many tourists.

"I want us to brainstorm and figure out how to open up the town," she said. The group agreed that more hands are needed to take Moreland to another level with regard to tourism, and Mayer pledged to help find "something to get everybody excited" and generate new volunteers.

A suggestion that is being considered is a yearly town photograph on the square starting this coming New Year's Day. Mayer also recommended volunteers in the town use Georgia's Better Hometown program guidelines to generate interest and gather new volunteers.

She said it would be nice to have a welcome center somewhere in town. She also said the CVB could help with brochures and expertise.

"I don't do events, but I get people to the events," Mayer said. "I'm the cheerleader and the promoter."

Mayer said Moreland is featured in the CVB's 2009 brochure.

"I'm trying to do more things to get them here," she said. "Once they get here, they want to see something."

Mayer understands what it takes to market small towns for tourism. For several years, she worked in tourism in Monticello. "We had to get very creative," she said.

She said Moreland, like Monticello, has something that appeals to people looking for a unique experience -- authenticity. "We don't have to make anything. People want to see the authentic," she said.

"Little towns are fading away," Elaine Stamps commented.

"There's lots in Moreland. You have three museums right here in this small town," Bowers said. "There's so much talent."

Evans said there are people who care about Moreland both inside the city limits and in the outlying areas. "We've always been a community. We can stretch out as far as we need to," he said.

Bowers said it is important for people who live in the Moreland area to think about what they want the community to become as Atlanta stretches southward. "Growth is going to come this way," she said.

Mayer said tourism is a good way for communities to gain income. Visitors "are leaving money," she said. "We don't have to provide infrastructure."

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