Fox Cities News

Lawrence University history major Diana Van Gilder from Moraga, California, has been selected to present a paper at the Imagining Tourists and Tourism conference in Paris this summer. The conference, which explores the connections between tourism and fiction, will take place in mid-June at the National Institute of Art History in collaboration with several prestigious universities.

Van Gilder's interest in the topic stemmed from a Winter Term course on the history of New Orleans, where she focused on Disneyland's representation of 1920s New Orleans throughout its park history. Describing her passion for the subject, Van Gilder expressed, "I found it was something I was really passionate about."

The opportunity to participate in the conference came through a connection her mother had, leading Van Gilder to shift the focus of her paper to discuss how Disney incorporates Black characters, like Princess Tiana, to attract Black consumers and tourists. She shared that her mother will also be presenting her own paper on Hawaiian tourism at the event, making it a family affair. Van Gilder looks forward to networking with other professionals and gaining knowledge from the experience. She acknowledged the support she received from the History Department at Lawrence University, specifically mentioning Associate Professor Betsy Schlabach for helping her improve her writing skills.

Van Gilder emphasized the importance of continued research and critique of Disney's practices, noting the company's ongoing changes in its rides and buildings to incorporate historically significant elements. She aspires to work in the archives field post-graduation, with this conference experience contributing to her career path. Van Gilder expressed her excitement about returning to Lawrence University after the conference to share her Paris experiences and further develop her skills.