Elevate Your Hotel’s Narrative: Partner with Amy French, Ph.D. – Your Premier Historical Consultant
Welcome to Roaming Historian, where the past comes alive. I’m Amy French, Ph.D., a seasoned historian who is passionate about highlighting the stories of your property. With over two decades in academia, as a history professor and department head, I bring historical expertise and talent to the table. Before pursuing my graduate degrees, I had a successful career as a financial advisor and plan to utilize my business acumen when working with your team.
I am dedicated to the art of historical storytelling. A quick look at my curriculum vitae will reveal a distinguished career and a track record of excellence, with numerous presentations, publications, and awards that speak to my authority in the field. My extensive experience is further reinforced by my many media appearances as a history expert, on radio and television. You can expect quality when working with me.
Why Invest in Historical Consulting for Your Hotel?
History is not just a subject; it’s a booming market trend. Historical dramas, period pieces, and documentaries have gained significant popularity among audiences worldwide. Shows like “The Crown” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” have captivated viewers with their immersive storytelling and attention to historical detail. Historical fiction books frequently grace the New York Times bestseller lists. Their popularity can be attributed to their ability to transport readers to different time periods and provide insights into past events. Additionally, historical sites and museums continue to draw millions of visitors annually. According to a recent study, 96% of Americans believe it is important to look at history—with millennials showing the highest level of increased curiosity in the past.1
People crave a connection to history. As a professional historian, I can help your hotel tap into this market, providing insights that resonate with your guests. In 2015, I started my travel blog, Roaming Historian, to encourage travelers to seek out historical places and experience different cultures. Roaming around cities, I uncover the past and share with others the thrill that comes from stepping back in time. My website and social media platform have become a hub for history enthusiasts. Thousands of followers read my blog posts or follow me on social media; they share with me both their excitement, when history is conveyed well, and disappointment, when it is not. Historic hotels can be destination spots for travelers interested in history…if the properties are telling their stories in engaging ways. I believe leisure travel can increase when historic hotels market their past effectively.
Authority and Authenticity for Modern Travelers
Authenticity is key in the world of hospitality. Today’s travelers seek more than just an accommodation; they want a genuine, immersive experience. Let me help your team tell your unique story in an authentic and engaging way, creating a sense of inclusion and belonging that resonates with your guests and underscores what modern travelers seek when deciding where to stay and what experiences to pursue.
When a traveler visits a property who knows their history and presents it openly, guests feel they belong there by seeing a hotel’s past and being part of their present. My consulting business is meant to provide your team with the tools you need to tell your unique story in an accurate and appealing way.
Destination Appeal
Through my consulting services, I help you define and market the history that is exclusively yours. Your property has a story waiting to be shared; by enlisting my skills, I’ll help you highlight your property’s past in a unique way, ensuring that your guests experience a stay unlike any other. This isn’t just about the past; it’s about creating an unforgettable present for your guests. Let me be the bridge between your history and your guests’ future memories.
Repeat Business for Your Property
An immersive historical experience becomes a magnet for repeat visits. When guests feel connected to your hotel’s past, they develop a loyalty that translates into sustained business. Let’s bring your property’s past alive in a way that resonates with your guests and encourages them to return over and over again.
Let’s Roam Through History Together
I look forward to the opportunity to help you tell the stories of your property’s past and make it an important part of your guests’ experiences. Contact me today (roaminghistorian@gmail.com) to start the conversation and arrange a call. Through my consulting business, I will create a plan so you can help connect guests to your property in a way that draws them back again and again.
My services include:
- A diagnostic review of how history is currently told at your property which can include working with your team to assess the effectiveness of your current heritage storytelling plan.
- A review and verification for accuracy of your current history narrative (architecture, notable events, distinguished guests, interesting facts, etc.) with a scan for what additional stories might be discoverable.
- Formulate a plan of which stories to prioritize along with ideas of how to convey your property’s history in an engaging manner.
- Work with your sales/marketing team to develop an implementation strategy to tell your property’s history.
History is a great asset of your property—let’s work together to highlight your past for guests in the future.
Media Appearances/Logistics
- Website Views: 136,000 impressions monthly
- Social Media Presence: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Tens of thousands of followers across the platforms.
- Amy has won many awards for academic excellence over her career. She sits on numerous boards and committees related to history and, some, related to international travel. She’s given over 60 scholarly presentations around the United States and has appeared on television and radio over 50 times. Additionally, she has published and taught academic history for 20 years. Here is a brief version of her curriculum vitae.
- Amy loves sharing history stories in informal ways. YouTube gives her the opportunity to do so. Here is a video clip from the Roaming Historian YouTube Channel.
- A clip from a documentary, Settling In: Immigrants and Cultures that Built Mid-Michigan, where Amy was a guest scholar and consultant.
- Amy as a panelist on a television show where she was a frequent guest expert for years, Currently Speaking, where we interviewed Rolling Stone journalist and author, Matt Taibbi.
- Amy is the narrator and frequent content creator for, Historia, a program that airs twice weekly on a local Public Broadcasting/NPR affiliate radio station, FM 90.1, in Michigan. Here is one of her stories for Historia; this tale is about Edith Flagg, beloved fashion industry icon (she brought polyester to the US!) and member of the Dutch Resistance during WWII.
Email us at: roaminghistorian@gmail.com
- “History Relevance National Survey,” Connor Prairie, and AAM accredited and Smithsonian affiliate museum in Indiana, 2020. https://www.aam-us.org/2020/02/03/curiosity-about-history-is-growing-across-generations-a-new-survey-finds/ ↩︎
Roaming Historian 