SELINSGROVE -- The growing popularity of Centralia as a tourist attraction is the subject of a March 18 lecture by Edward Slavishak, assistant professor of history at Susquehanna University.

Sponsored by the university's Institute for Lifelong Learning, Slavishak's talk is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Degenstein Center Theater.

Site of a highly publicized mine fire that started in 1962 and burned for years, Centralia now draws visitors as a result of media accounts, film and video game references, and online discussions and photos.

Slavishak will discuss the locale in the historical context of "disaster tourism," a phenomenon that lures curious travelers to places such as hurricane-ravaged New Orleans or the former site of the World Trade Center towers.

"I'm interested in fringe tourism,' and I think Centralia is a great example," Slavishak said. "I want to consider what people get out of driving to the middle of nowhere to look at a landscape of weed-choked lots and rubble."

The talk, free and open to the public, will be followed by an optional lunch at noon. For lunch reservations or questions, call the Office of Conference and Event Management at 372-4354.