Authenticity and Experience among Visitors at a Historic Village

This study examines the concept of authenticity as applied at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (ACHNHP). Based on past theoretical research, a functional definition of authenticity is used in an effort to test whether or not visitors to the park come for reasons relating to authenticity. Further analyses are used to determine the relative importance of authenticity to other motivational reasons for visiting the park, and how the level of authenticity experienced at ACHNHP affects how respondents rate the importance and performance of many park setting attributes. Using motivation for authenticity and importance/performance variables as predictors, visitor knowledge, perceptions of crowding and conflict, and overall satisfaction are assessed. The results suggest that while authenticity is important for park visitors, experience outputs are difficult to forecast because of correlation among independent variables and homogeneity of park visitors. Recommendations are made for future researchers when examining the concept of authenticity.