Effective Interpretation: Creating The Connection

     Like
a fingerprint, parks and communities have their own unique aspects that make
them identifiably different. Each comes with its own history, culture,
demographic served, and natural environment. While each location varies in
specifics, there are similarities that should be identified to further their
connections with other parks and communities across the road, city, state,
nation, or globe. It is the job of the interpreter of the site to facilitate in
the formation of these connections, to help visitors and users of the area to
better understand, and in turn develop, the existing relationship between the
public and the site’s resources.

According
to “Foundations of Interpretation: Curriculum Content Narrative,” a learning
tool crafted by the National Park Service, effective interpretation has no one
definition, but encompasses certain key ideas in its many forms. This
curriculum summarizes the works of important interpreters and researchers from
the tourism field to create a better understanding of the art that is
interpretation, which is more than just information (Bacher, et al., 2007, p.
1). Interpretation is the “[relation of] what is being displayed or described
to something within the personality or experience of the visitor…is
pleasurable…relevant…organized…[and] has a theme…it relate[s] the subjects to
the lives of visitors…[and] goes beyond providing information to reveal deeper
meaning and truth” (Bacher, et al., 2007, p. 2) 
Interpretation takes the historical, cultural, or economic importance of
a resource and ties it to the past, present, and/or future of visitors,
creating a special connection and understanding between the resource, the site,
and the visit.  It creates memories and bonds
and develops a sense of place within the individual. Interpretation creates a
reason for visitors to come back to the site.

            Public places like the Great Smoky
Mountains and Congaree National Park attract more than local constituents; they
have a global base of visitors from all backgrounds imaginable. In addition to
the variety in visitor demographics, these locations, and others like them have
resources and stories to tell that can relate to anyone, anywhere, if the
interpreter knows how to form those important connections between the visitor
and the resource. Interpreters attempt to develop connections and relate
information to individuals, but everyone is different in their own background,
beliefs, values, and interests. Appealing to a global audience will augment the
relationship between the visitor and the site, helping that individual
understand the butterfly garden, the plantation house, or the Appalachian
Trail, whatever the resource, has importance for everyone. The trick of the interpreter
is helping the visitor discover what that importance is.

            Regurgitation of information is
irrelevant, unimportant, and holds no emotional connection between a visitor
and a site or resource. Interpretation is not simply the provision of information
regarding an item. Interpretation dives into the explanation of the importance
of those facts and historical stories. Interpreters are captivating and
persuade the visitors to listen and care about what they must share.

            While interpretation is imperative
to places like national parks or nature preserves, it plays a key role in the
classroom. Teachers are often also interpreters, helping their students form
bonds with the content of a lesson. Without the connections between the student
and what he or she is learning, the student has no real purpose to apply effort
within the class. Interpretation helps them understand why they learn what they
do, and how it will affect their futures. Interpretation builds those
relationships; it is the facilitator to the textbook or public site.

Sources

Bacher,
K., Baltrus, A., Barrie, B., Bliss, K., Cardea, D., Chandler, L., . . . Lacome,
B. (2007, March 1). Foundations of Interpretation. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/idp/interp/101/foundationscurriculum.pdf

Authors

Callie
McMullin - Residence
Hall Coordinator, Eastern
Kentucky University

Michael
J. Bradley - Associate
Professor, Arkansas
Tech University

Brian
Clark - Associate
Professor, Eastern
Kentucky University