I had the pleasure of hearing David McCullough lecture on the "Disney
America" project last spring and I thought that he made some very
perceptive observations about that proposed project. He, and the other
historians whom he had joined in opposition, did not argue with Disney's
right to present American History - rather, they objected to the intend
place, which was some seven miles, I believe, from the Manassas Civil War
Battlefield. He also made the point that Disney's theme park was just the
honey which would attract the swarm of people to the place to fill up the
rest of the intended development of hotels, resturants, golf courses, et
al. That this sprawl of development would overcome the rural historic
countryside and have a much greater impact on the area than the 3000
acres which Disney had optioned for the park.
 
Disney said that they pulled back from the Prince william County location
due to opposition from local & national groups. I tend to see that
statement as all too glib and slick an "explanation". I think that Disney
is just trying to get other locales and other states to go into a bidding
war for tax breaks and millions of dollars of perks.
 
It would be very interesting, however, to learn what their marketing
people told them about the profitability of the American History Theme? A
few authentic Historic Sites might benefit from that information...
 
Dave
 
 
On Tue, 3 Jan 1995, Sara P. Kelley wrote:
 
> I can shed a little light on the debate over Disney's America
> in Northern Virginia, I hope.  I'm a native Prince William County
> (where Disney was planning to go) resident, and my parents are
> very active in county affairs - my mother is on the county
> Historical Commission and my father is on lots of roads committees.
> Obviously I hear both sides of the argument.
>
> Disney decided (in October, I think) that their "America" had
> generated too much controversy from all sides.  Historians had
> banded together to protest Disney's approach to the content, and
> local preservationists had banded together to protest the location.
> Part of the problem was the location they had chosen. The Haymarket
> area (western end of Prince William County) is relatively open and
> sparsely populated, which Disney liked.  Their park, however, would
> have eliminated the town of Thorofare, a historically black town
> with lots of roots.  In addition, Disney and all its "amenities"
> would have totally overwhelemed the area.
>
> The state and local governments loved the idea of Disney and its
> promised jobs, and bent over backward to accommodate them, even
> offering to pay for all necessary road improvements (Michael
> Eisner could afford them with his own salary).  There is still a
> debate in the county about the types of jobs and the money that
> Disney would have brought in.  But now the point is moot.
>
> As a historian and a resident, I'm pleased with Disney's decision.
> Now we have to see where they decide to take their park -- I don't
> think they will go away...
>
> Sara Phinney Kelley
>
> --
> Lehigh County Historical Society
> PO Box 1548, Allentown, PA 18105
> (610) 435-4664
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>