Abstract

The dark tourism industry is a relatively young industry that have recently gained an academic following. Within the umbrella of dark tourism there are many different types of tourism, such as Holocaust tourism and battle site tourism. For the purpose of my study, we are going to be focusing on ghost tourism. More importantly, the ghost tourism industry surrounding the city of Colonial Williamsburg. The ghost tourism industry of Colonial Williamsburg has its roots in a long line of ghost stories and supernatural traditions. From the poltergeists of Germany to the spiritualism movement of Victorian England. Even in the more modern ages, ghost literature and paranormal television occupies the minds of the masses. This fascination with ghosts and the paranormal could perhaps tell us more about the human relation with death. This human relationship with death and the supernatural can be explored through several themes found in my research. During the ghost tours, tour guides tended to focus on certain themes in their stories. Of these themes, the main one that we see is the sanctioning of behavior. That is alongside kingship, race, and religion as other themes that emerge in the tours.

Advisor

Frese, Pam

Second Advisor

Friedman, Joan

Department

History; Sociology and Anthropology

Publication Date

2021

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2021 JoAnna Fowler