EMPORIUM, Pa. – Visitors to the Lumber Heritage Region may start to notice some new signs that are popping up across the area.
The Lumber Heritage Region’s new wayfinding signage program is up, and will offer visitors a unique opportunity to see all the attractions located there.
Additionally, Holly Komonczi, executive director, and Steve Manginell, outreach coordinator, believe that this new program will help attract visitors.
“The concept of wayfinding signage isn’t a new one,” Komonczi explains. “In fact, baby-boomers and the generation that grew up watching the television show ‘MASH’ may recognize the design.
“What makes our program unique is that we aren’t pointing people in the direction of another state or town, but to the next nearest tourist attraction.”
For instance, a family visiting the Lumber Museum in Galeton, Pa., may not realize that they are only 28 miles away from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
This information may encourage visitors to travel to the next attraction simply because they didn’t realize they were already so close to it, Komonczi said.
“This information not only helps a traveler reach a new destination, but also helps get people moving around the region to visit other sites. And it is a great way to partner with other organizations.”
Komonczi believes that working together and partnering with organizations that operate other tourist attractions is a bonus for everyone.
As the executive director of a non-profit organization, Komonczi said she understands how tight budgets make marketing a challenge, and she sees this program as a low-cost option.
The LHR also has plans to expand the wayfinding program to include new interactive ways for tourists to utilize the signs. A new geocaching trail is one idea the LHR is exploring.
According to Komonczi, geocachers will be able to follow the signs to the next geocache and have the opportunity to win a prize after they complete the trail.
She said other ideas include “selfie” photo and “wayfinding experience” contests. “Then, they’ll have the opportunity to have their story featured in the Lumber Heritage newsletter.”
So far, signs have been installed at the following locations:
- Pennsylvania Lumber Museum;
- Smicksburg Heritage Society;
- Forest County Historical Museum;
- Bilger’s Rocks;
- Straub Brewery Visitor’s Center;
- Renovo Heritage Park;
- Penn Brad Oil Museum;
- Punxsutawney Phil’s Visitor Center;
- Pennsylvania Grand Canyon;
- Bucktail Monument in Driftwood, Pa.; and
- Warren County Visitor’s Bureau.
For updates on the wayfinding program, please go to LHR’s Web site at lumberheritage.org or visit its Facebook page.
For more information about this program, please contact Holly Komonczi by e-mail at hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org or by phone 814-761-4207.