CARROLLTON -- Thanks to a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, Carrollton will soon offer an app-guided walking tour of 25 historic structures.
According to Carrollton Mayor Pam Lee, the Mississippi Humanities Council offered Bicentennial grants to promote the history of Mississippi during the state’s 200th anniversary. Carrollton was awarded a $3,500 grant to launch a walking tour app for those interested in touring the historic town.
“The app will enhance the pilgrimage but it won’t replace it,” Lee said. “If you want to go through the houses, you will still have to buy a ticket.”
In addition, the walking tour can be done year-round, not just during the annual Carrollton Pilgrimage.
Lee said Alderman Tommy Goodman wrote the architectural details for the walking tour, and Lee provided historical relevance and directional information. “Mississippi Roads” host Walt Grayson will narrate the tour, and the app itself is being created by Pilgrimage volunteer Shonda Milton.
Milton said she created the app through Tour Buddy, and once it is complete, the public can download it free of charge from iTunes.
“The app will take you in order of the walking tour step-by-step on the most convenient route,” Milton said.
Milton said another fun feature included on the app is GPS-activated narration.
“Once you get 250 feet from a house featured on the app, the [narration] will start playing,” Milton said.
Lee said 25 historical structures are featured on the app, many of which are open for tours during the annual Carrollton Pilgrimage, set for October 6-7.
However, homes are not open year round.
“The app very clearly states that all of the homes are privately-owned, and if you are using the app, you can’t go inside the homes,” Lee said. “The app lets us show the history of the town without boots on the ground.”
Lee said the walking tour can also be accessed inside the classroom.
“Teachers might find the walking tour app useful and show it in the classroom and let the kids virtually walk through it,” Lee said.
The launch date of the app has not yet been determined.
For more information about the upcoming Carrollton Pilgrimage, contact Lee at 662-237-6910 or go to VisitCarrolltonMS.com.
