WINDSOR – The Windsor Board of Commissioners were updated on efforts by the Historic Albemarle Tour last week.

During the board’s regular meeting, Connie Townsend, who joined the tour as director in February, told commissioners the tour is working to promote the 26 sites diligently.

Members of the board had recently expressed concern about the Tour and whether or not the investment was getting any return.

“The Historic Albemarle Tour is designed to promote tourism and development in historic sites,” Townsend said. “It is the oldest self-guided tour in North Carolina.”

She said the Tour has recently began working more diligently on the Internet, including accounts with Facebook and Twitter as well as offering space on its own website for member events.

The agency has also purchased advertising in Carolina Country Travel Magazine and has begun a close working relationship with the Northeast North Carolina Commission, Townsend said.

Townsend said she was making her initial visit to Windsor and it made the 17th of the 26 sites she had toured.

“It’s my first visit and I’m overwhelmed by how diversified Windsor is,” she said.

Commissioner Joe Alexander asked if Townsend had received information on the historic cemeteries in Windsor from a study that was done recently and she said she had not.

Windsor Mayor Jimmy Hoggard said the town was in place because of the Cashie River and briefly talked about the history of the river.

“We’re here because of the river,” Mayor Hoggard said. “With the Roanoke/Cashie River Center, we have more of our history than ever available.”

Townsend said the town’s diversity with the history of the River Center and the downtown area and the addition of Livermon Zoo and Park made it an especially attractive destination.

Alexander asked if there was any way the town could go about distinguishing itself from others in the region and Townsend said she would suggest continued working relationships with all entities and promoting the vast features of the town together.