Opinion: Opportunity lies in celebrating what makes us different

Kaitlyn McConnell

The Ozarks region is full of resources that contribute to our unique sense of place, space and voice. Sometimes, though, I think we overlook what’s here right in our own backyard, drawn by the allure of what is happening elsewhere.

There is undeniable value in learning from others. But let’s not undersell ourselves: We have assets – people, places and traditions – that define who we are, and sometimes we’re missing an opportunity not to celebrate them as they are.

Maybe some of that goes back to stereotypes. By the early 1900s, the world had been given an impression of the Ozarks: “The Shepherd of the Hills,” a novel published in 1907 that drew tourists to the region to see the back-hill characters they read about on the book’s pages.

Those Ozarkers were real and important, but became early caricatures of how others saw the region. In more recent years, pop culture moments like the book-turned-movie “Winter’s Bone” and the TV show “Ozark” have continued the conversation of what it means to be from the Ozarks.

Those impressions intersect with how we see ourselves. It’s easier to comprehend what’s unique about another place when you can contrast it with what you know; with where you’re from. When that contrast doesn’t exist, it’s easy to think that nothing special is here and to imagine that other places have a better approach.

But what we have holds value – just the way it is. This mindset is not about changing what’s here or manufacturing a version of what is unique. Instead, it’s creating space for the people doing this work to be recognized, compensated and celebrated for what they bring to our region.

The Ozarks’ fabric is so unique that it was recognized in 2023 as one of two featured programs at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. Our music took center stage again in 2025 as the Creek Rocks, the musical duo of husband-and-wife Mark Bilyeu and Cindy Woolf, was selected as the Library of Congress’s first Artist in Resonance fellows.

Our region is filled with people, places and organizations who are doing the work to continue traditions and qualities that make us truly special. And those heartwarming realities have real financial benefits.

An economic impact report from the Missouri Division of Tourism notes the state felt a $21.4 billion economic impact from tourism in fiscal year 2025. The image on the cover of that report wasn’t something flashy or new: It was an historic mill in rural Ozark County.

Another data point: According to MDT’s annual report in fiscal year 2024, 51% of overnight visitors in Missouri ranked museums, sightseeing and visiting landmarks/historic sites as top activities during their visits. As the top of the report puts it: “Tourists from around the region come to Missouri to enjoy time with friends and family, experience the state’s culture, and explore our unforgettable destinations and attractions.”

In my opinion, people don’t come here to see what’s the same as elsewhere. They want to see what’s different. Authenticity is important, too: It’s my belief that now, perhaps more than ever, people are hungry for “real” rather than a glossy version of reality.

Right here in Springfield, we see that through Route 66, which directs travelers from across the globe through the famed Mother Road’s birthplace every year. We are doing ourselves a disservice to not protect the landmarks that define this part of our story. The same goes for our natural resources which are a significant draw for visitors (and I’d venture to say for us, too).

So, what do we do? From my perspective, we should coordinate and embrace what we have. We need to understand what makes us special rather than trying to just build what makes us like everywhere else. And we need to protect that.

I truly believe that this will bring benefits in the long run. As our world becomes increasingly automated and standardized, the unique qualities will draw our eye: The things that illustrate humanity and authentic experience.

The opportunity will not lie in being the same, but celebrating what is different.

Kaitlyn McConnell is the founder of Ozarks Alive, a cultural preservation project that documents the region’s unique people, places and culture. She can be reached at kaitlyn@ozarksalive.com.