Stakeholder Perceptions of Historical Markers in Coastal Georgia Coastal Georgia is a region steeped in rich history, making it an important area for studying historical markers. The region’s colonial history is equally significant, as it was among the earliest areas settled during the formation of the United States. This history includes the establishment of key settlements, colonial trade routes, and interactions between European settlers and Indigenous populations, all of which shaped the area’s cultural landscape. The three-county region of Chatham, Glynn, and McIntosh Counties in Coastal Georgia includes numerous African American historical sites, which are critical to understanding the broader cultural and historical narratives of the area. These sites highlight key aspects of African American heritage, including the contributions of the Gullah Geechee people, the legacy of slavery, and the ongoing efforts to preserve underrepresented histories. By examining historical markers in this region, valuable insights into how local communities share and celebrate their heritage while addressing historical gaps can be obtained. The Georgia Historical Marker Program includes over 2,200 markers statewide with approximately 250 markers located in the three-county region under investigation. The purpose of this study was to examine how historical markers in the three-county region of Coastal Georgia support the understanding and sharing of local history, contribute to community pride, encourage local tourism efforts, and directly and/or indirectly provide additional value to local stakeholders. Literature Review Historical markers are vital to heritage tourism, which emphasizes authentic, place-based experiences. Heritage tourism attracts older, affluent, and educated travelers, fostering longer stays and increased spending (Mandala Research, 2013). These travelers often seek meaningful connections to the places they visit, making historical markers a key component of their experiences. Heritage tourism also supports economic development by preserving history, entertaining tourists, and enhancing local culture (Chhabra, 2009). Historical markers, as a form of cultural preservation, can bolster a community's sense of place while facilitating educational opportunities and tourism growth (Gursoy et al., 2019). By embedding historical narratives into physical spaces, markers transform destinations into living museums, enriching the visitor experience. In Coastal Georgia, markers have helped narrate underrepresented histories, such as African American and Gullah Geechee heritage, addressing gaps in historical representation (Bright et al., 2021; Dickey, 2020). Furthermore, colonial history, including early settlements and trade routes, also plays a critical role in shaping the region’s historical identity. The interplay of these diverse narratives underscores the importance of historical markers in fostering inclusive, multi-dimensional storytelling that resonates with both local communities and visitors. These markers also support the understanding and sharing of history, enhance community pride, and contribute to tourism and local stakeholder value by providing authentic, educational, and economic opportunities. Methodology The study employed a qualitative research design to gain an in-depth understanding of stakeholder perceptions regarding historical markers in Coastal Georgia. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 10 key stakeholders from various organizations in the local area. These stakeholders were selected based on their expertise, involvement, and familiarity with historical markers in a three-county region in Coastal Georgia. The interviews were conducted via telephone and lasted approximately 30 minutes. The interviews followed a semi-structured format to ensure consistency while allowing flexibility for participants to elaborate on their perspectives. The interview guide included open-ended questions addressing key themes such as the role of historical markers in community pride, tourism, education, and local economic development. Questions also explored accessibility challenges and the inclusivity of historical narratives. Interviews were recorded with participant consent and subsequently transcribed for analysis. The data were coded and analyzed using NVivo 11 software, following thematic analysis principles. This process involved identifying recurring themes, categorizing responses, and generating patterns based on the interview framework. A total of 29 nodes were created and coalesced around six major themes related to history, tourism, values, interactions, daily lives, and community pride. Triangulation was employed to enhance the study’s validity and reliability. Data from interviews were cross-referenced with findings from relevant literature, online resources, and surveys conducted with residents and visitors to the study area. The use of multiple data sources ensured a comprehensive analysis of stakeholder perceptions and minimized researcher bias. Results The findings highlight the multifaceted roles of historical markers in fostering history-sharing, tourism, and community engagement. Stakeholders emphasized that markers are essential for educating residents and visitors about local history, serving as tools for validating and preserving historical significance. They also noted that historical markers enhance the tourism experience by providing authentic, place-based attractions that contribute to longer visitor stays and greater economic benefits for local communities. Additionally, markers indirectly support local economies by encouraging visitation to lesser-known areas, dispersing tourists, and providing opportunities for new programming and partnerships. Stakeholders perceived historical markers as significant contributors to community identity and pride, creating a "sense of place" for both residents and visitors. However, challenges such as accessibility issues and the underrepresentation of diverse histories, particularly African American and Gullah Geechee narratives, were identified as critical areas for improvement. These findings demonstrate that historical markers in Coastal Georgia successfully support the understanding and sharing of local history, enhance community pride, encourage tourism, and provide value to stakeholders, though improvements are needed to address gaps in accessibility and inclusivity. Conclusion and Discussion The Georgia Historical Marker Program significantly contributes to heritage tourism, community pride, and historical education in Coastal Georgia. Stakeholders recognized the markers as critical for fostering authentic cultural engagement and supporting local economies. Additionally, historical markers align with the growing trend toward slow tourism, as they encourage visitors to immerse themselves in the destination by exploring historical marker routes. This approach allows for a deeper connection to the local history and culture while promoting extended stays and sustainable tourism practices. However, efforts to address accessibility and represent underrepresented histories remain crucial. Future research should explore broader stakeholder perspectives, including those from the hospitality and education sectors, to enhance marker programs and their impact. The study’s findings support historical markers in Coastal Georgia effectively support the understanding and sharing of local history, enhance community pride, encourage tourism efforts, and provide direct and indirect value to stakeholders. However, efforts to address accessibility and representation of underrepresented histories remain crucial. Future research should explore broader stakeholder perspectives to enhance marker programs and their impact. References Bright, C. F., Foster, K. N., Joyner, A., & Tanny, O. (2021). Heritage tourism, historic roadside markers, and "just representation" in Tennessee, USA. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(2-3), 428-447. Chhabra, D. (2009). Proposing a sustainable marketing framework for heritage tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 17(3), 303-320. Dickey, J. (2020). "Cameos of History" on the landscape: the changes and challenges of Georgia’s Historical Marker Program. The Public Historian, 42(2), 33-55. Gursoy, D., Ouyang, Z., Nunkoo, R., & Wei, W. (2019). Residents’ impact perceptions of and attitudes towards tourism development: A meta-analysis. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 28(3), 306-333. Mandala Research. (2013). The 2013 cultural and heritage traveler report. Retrieved from https://mandalaresearch.com/reports-new/ on June 19, 2021.