Is city's history a dwindling asset?

Check out this op-ed from the Annapolis Capital. From the piece:

History seemed to be our ticket to sustainable growth. We saved buildings, created a Historic District, opened house museums and established tour companies and bed-and-breakfasts. Tourists flocked by the millions, spurring prosperity.

But are the best years of "heritage tourism" behind us? Have we passed the tipping point at which the sheer number of tourists causes more disruption and congestion than they are worth?
People used to come to Annapolis to explore our history. Now they are attracted simply by our historic ambience. Annapolis' mix of preserved buildings and quaint streets provides tourists with a congenial setting where they can drink, eat, shop and enjoy the water.

No one seems to care about history anymore, or at least the complex history that is unique to Annapolis. Instead, it is enough for Annapolis to appear to be "historic."

Across the nation, historical societies and historic sites are struggling. Even major attractions like Colonial Williamsburg are experiencing dramatic declines in visitation.

Too many people today want history to be emotional rather than educational. They want feelings, not facts.

People also want history to be both relevant to their lives and entertaining. Yet most historic sites and history museums are neither. Has historic Annapolis become a fossilized remnant of a city that no longer exists?

For another perspective check out "Expert: Include old buildings in daily life." Apparently, Annapolis is sponsoring a lecture series, Community Conversations for Change , sponsored by the enVISIONing Annapolis Foundation, St. John's College and Annapolis Alive!, an organization established to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Annapolis Charter.

This week (I think) "teams of scholars from four universities will meet for five days to discuss the issues Annapolis must address as it moves into its fourth century. A moderator will present the findings at a public meeting in June.