Julie Galonska, Superintendent, Lowell National Historical Park
In an interview with Invest:, Julie Galonska, superintendent of Lowell National Historical Park, discussed the park’s efforts in preserving the city’s industrial heritage and driving economic revitalization. She emphasized the park’s role in supporting local tourism and fostering community engagement through partnerships and new digital initiatives.
What is Lowell National Historical Park’s mission and its impact on Lowell?
Lowell National Historical Park is part of the National Park System, one of 431 units nationwide. These parks tell America’s story — whether through historical sites like Lowell, natural landmarks like the Grand Canyon, or national seashores like Cape Cod. Lowell was established in 1978 to preserve the story of the Industrial Revolution and the city’s role as an innovative industrial hub, especially with its textile mills.
The park also focuses on economic revitalization. In 1978, Lowell was struggling after the mill closures, but the community saw heritage preservation as a strength. By restoring over 400 historic buildings and repurposing old mills into residential and commercial spaces, the park helped create a unique identity for Lowell.
Our third goal is to preserve cultural heritage, which remains vital in this diverse city. We work closely with the community to share and celebrate those stories.
What are some key accomplishments from the past year?
Last September, we opened a permanent exhibit, “One City, Many Cultures,” after five years of development and pandemic delays. We worked with community members to explore cultural expression and common ground. The exhibit has been well-received and is now a key part of the visitor experience.
We also offer popular activities like National Park trolley rides, visits to the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, and canal boat tours of Lowell’s historic downtown canal system.
What new technologies or marketing strategies is the park using to enhance the visitor experience or reach new audiences?
We’re starting to gear up for a more digital experience, and this year we’ve been focusing on connecting with people that way. One of the challenges we face is maintaining relevance — especially as a historic park — by finding ways to connect our story with people’s personal histories, like the stories of their families. Our staff is working hard to use technology and digital platforms to help create those connections.
At the same time, when people do come to the park or events like the Lowell Folk Festival, we find that shared experiences — whether through music or food — naturally bring people together. It’s not too hard to get folks interested when you have great food and music.
What role do you see Lowell National Park playing in the region’s future economic growth, especially in tourism?
Every year, the National Park Service does economic impact studies for each park, and the numbers for 2023 were just released. Last year, we had 256,000 visitors, contributing $17.2 million to the local economy. Visitors don’t just come to see the park; they want to experience Lowell as a whole. People attending events like the Folk Festival or Lowell Summer Music Series often spend time exploring the city, which benefits local businesses.
What educational initiatives or partnerships does the park have in place for the community?
One thing I didn’t mention is our partnership with UMass Lowell on the Tsongas Industrial History Center. While it doesn’t fit squarely into tourism, it’s an important part of what we do. Each year, over 20,000 school children come to the park for field trips, participating in hands-on educational experiences. They learn not only about Lowell’s role in industrial history and its impact on the city and the nation, but also how many of these themes are still relevant today. These educational programs are vital for both the park and the community.
How do you perceive the tourism and hospitality sector in Lowell and Massachusetts, and what opportunities do you see for growth?
We work closely with the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce. Outside of Boston, there’s growing interest in connecting regional sites. Some visitors are National Park fans who want to tour every park, from Minute Man in Lexington and Concord to Salem’s maritime sites, and then head up to Acadia. Others are drawn to heritage tourism, wanting to learn how events and cultures shaped the area over time.
There’s also a strong interest in exploring the region’s cultural diversity — like discovering a great Greek bakery or a wonderful Cambodian restaurant. These connections between history, culture, and local experiences offer tremendous opportunities for tourism growth, especially for those who may not be aware of all that’s here.
What is your vision and top priorities for Lowell National Historical Park over the next few years?
Our focus will be on community engagement and enhancing the visitor experience. We want to ensure our experiences stay relevant and engaging, especially for younger generations and for people who may not have visited yet — either because they didn’t know about it or felt it wasn’t for them. We’ll be working hard to attract and connect more people to their National Park, because that’s what it is — their park.
We’re also excited about linking with new developments in the city. For example, UMass Lowell is working on the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor, right next to the National Park. It’s an exciting project near the Northern Canal and some of our exhibits that highlight industry, technology, and innovation — a story that’s still unfolding here in Lowell. We want to physically and thematically connect these new developments with the park’s history and significance.
