Explanation of Indicator
Florida's museums and cultural/historical events (e.g., festivals) are major contributors to the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens and visitors of the state. These attractions provide substantial economic benefits, contribute to urban revitalization, serve as sources of recreation, and provide Floridians with important tangible links to their heritage. They promote knowledge and appreciation of Florida's history through the collection, presentation, exhibition and interpretation of objects related to Florida's history and are instrumental in interpreting Florida's social and cultural heritage to both state residents and visitors.
Many of the state's cultural and historical events occur in the coastal counties. With the tremendous growth of the state centered on the coastal areas, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor and protect the existing cultural and historical events. The more interest generated by the public to enjoy and learn about these events, the more funding through admission ticket sales, as well as grant money, that is available for their preservation. The number of visitors to these places can serve as an indicator of the public’s interest in and perception of these resources.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
A comprehensive listing of all historical and cultural events, including museums, is complied annually in a report, The Official Museum Directory, by the American Association of Museums, 1225 I Street, Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20005, or at (202) 289-1818. A copy of the report can be obtained from Mr. Bob McNeal, Senior Historian/Curator at the Museum of Florida History, R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or at (904) 488-1484. The report is currently in its 24th edition.
ACQUISITION
The report is available in hard copy format. No costs are associated with its acquisition.
COLLECTION
The information on all cultural and historical events is updated continually and published annually. Listings are by individual cities, thereby allowing disaggregation by coastal areas. Visitation data are obtained from each facility through ticket sales or entrance counters.
Data Limitations
The American Association of Museums lists all annual and cultural events, as well as all historic sites with public facilities and/or museums. Therefore, it is probable that an event not occurring annually is not included in the directory. In some instances the published attendance record represents an estimated number of visitors for that facility for that calendar year. Thus, the published total visitor data should be treated as estimates. The visitation record may be somewhat diluted due to the large numbers of tourists who visit Florida each year. An economically depressed year with fewer out-of-state tourists may be represented by a decrease in the aggregate visitor numbers, yet may not be an indicator of decreased public interest.
Data Analysis
In recent years the number of coastal historical events and museums has been near-constant to gradually increasing, from 173 events and facilities in 1992 to 180 in 1994. This represents a 4% increase in two years. Events in the state's interior counties have stayed nearly constant, with 50 events in 1993 and 51 events in 1994. The number of visitors to Florida decreased from 1992 to 1993, from 13,619,381 to 12,842,294. In 1994 visitation increased to 13,105,885 visitors. A partial explanation may that in 1993 Florida's number of visiting tourists declined; while this correlation is not necessarily causal, it is a reflection of the visitation records for the state’s museums and cultural/historical events.