The Borscht Belt Historic Marker Project
Co-Founder, Archive Coordinator, Copywriter
The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is a preservation and interpretation initiative dedicated to documenting and making visible the architectural, cultural, and social legacy of the Borscht Belt region. The project seeks to identify, interpret, and designate sites significant to American Jewish life, Catskills resort history, New York State heritage, and the broader influence of the region on American culture and entertainment.
Developed in response to the absence of any formal historical markers acknowledging the Borscht Belt era in Sullivan and Ulster Counties, the project proposes a publicly accessible, region-wide marker system situated at sites of local, state, and national significance. These markers are intended to educate residents and visitors while fostering renewed engagement with the landscapes and communities shaped by this history.
Beyond physical markers, the project is conceived as a multi-platform interpretive system. Proposed components include a self-guided audio driving tour, digital and print educational materials, exhibitions, and public programming such as film screenings, lectures, and cultural events. Together, these elements expand the experience beyond individual sites, transforming dispersed locations into a cohesive narrative network.
By encouraging visitors to move through the region and engage directly with its towns, villages, and remaining architectural traces, the project positions preservation as an active and experiential practice. The initiative supports historical understanding while also promoting cultural tourism and economic revitalization, demonstrating how design, research, and interpretation can work together to sustain collective memory through place.
