Historic Southern Indiana

Creative Interpretation: Illuminating Our Past
Spring Mill Inn
Spring Mill State Park
Mitchell, Indiana

EVALUATION FORM RESULTS

1. WHICH BEST DESCRIBES YOUR POSITION?

(35) Interpreter/Tour Guide/Naturalist     (4) Volunteer                     (20) Administrator     (4) Other

2. PLEASE EVALUATE THE SESSIONS YOU ATTENDED:

a. Historic Sites Jeopardy

8) excellent     (24) good     (4) fair     (0) poor

b. The Interpretive Equation

(30) excellent     (17) good     (3) fair     (3) poor

c. Your Site Through Other Eyes (Part 1)

(5) excellent     (18) good     (1) fair     (0) poor

d. Are Your Visitors Returning?

(14) excellent     (17) good     (1) fair     (0) poor

e. Creating Meaningful and Memorable Experiences for Our Visitors

(15) excellent     (22) good     (7) fair     (0) poor

f. Your Site Through Other Eyes (Part II)

(1) excellent     (12) good     (3) fair     (0) poor

g. Research 101

(6) excellent     (10) good     (2) fair     (0) poor

h. The Meaning of Millennium for Historic Sites

(2) excellent     (12) good     (3) fair     (1) poor

i. Collections Care and Policies

(2) excellent     (7) good     (3) fair     (1) poor

j. History for Our Changing Audience

(30) excellent     (9) good     (0) fair     (0) poor

k. Exterior Building Maintenance

CANCELED

l. Un-Natural Perspectives

(4) excellent     (10) good     (0) fair     (0) poor

m. Tin-Smithing

(5) excellent     (4) good     (0) fair     (0) poor

n. Progress Report on the Indiana Council for History Education

(3) excellent     (12) good     (4) fair     (0) poor

o. Candle Dipping

(2) excellent     (1) good     (0) fair     (0) poor

p. Drawing Connections to the Resource: Finding Meaning in Places

(15) excellent     (12) good     (2) fair     (0) poor

3. Evaluate the following workshop activities on a scale of 1 -4,
with 4 being excellent and 1 poor. Circle the correct number;
if you did not attend the activity, circle N/A.

a. Dinner/Historic Sites Jeopardy (13)4     (20)3     (3)2     (0)1

c. Auction (23)4     (25)3     (4)2     (0)1

e. Awards Program & Display (5)4     (22)3     (6)2     (0)1

Comments:
-we didn’t need popcorn during Jeopardy since it was right after dinner but popcorn during the auction would have been appreciated
-auction always fun.
-not many displays, not sure what that’s about
-somehow need to increase and upgrade quantity and quality of auction items. Maybe diversity methods - silent or/and jar
-Somehow the teaming for Jeopardy didn’t work - our team didn’t know each other. It appeared some teams did; also our location was bad, couldn’t see screen. Thought the idea was good and obviously somebody did a lot of preparation work
-more prior emphasis on bringing auction items. “Poster session” during first evening when people gathered informally
-how about a simple raffle
-Jeopardy and auction are very good mixers
-Jeopardy was fun
-I enjoyed auction and Jeopardy very much
-poor showing on posters
-Jeopardy tended to include information about Historic Sites more than other sites - some people felt left out
-enjoyed all the activities
-awards program and display should be written up in the program better. Give it more recognition. Some people didn’t even bother to attend (Daytime, first morning session maybe)

4. Circle the answer that most closely identifies your feeling
about the statement.

SA=Strongly Agree, A=Agree,U=Undecided,D=Disagree,SD=Strongly Disagree

a. I liked the format of this workshop.
(21)SA     (33)A     (6)U     (0)D     (0)SD

b. There was sufficient time for informal sharing & networking with colleagues.
(28)SA     (24)A     (6)U     (2)D     (0)SD

c. The speakers were knowledgeable and well prepared.
(30)SA     (28)A     (2)U     (0)D     (0)SD

d. The handouts & materials were helpful.
(24)SA     (28)A     (8)U     (0)D     (0)SD

e. I will be able to use information presented at this workshop in future interpretation at my site.
(24)SA     (30)A     (3)U     (1)D     (0)SD

f. I learned skills which will help improve future interpretation at my site.
(24)SA     (29)A     (3)U     (1)D     (0)SD

g. The workshop was well planned & organized.
(30)SA     (25)A     (1)U     (1)D     (0)SD

h. The quality of the facilities (accommodations, meals & meeting rooms was good.
(32)SA     (25)A     (0)U     (0)D     (0)SD

COMMENTS:
I agree with the questions e & f, but I received information from one session only that provided me with knowledge or new in presentation

5. DID THE WORKSHOP MEET YOUR NEEDS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS?
Explain & list any ideas for changes in the space below each item.

a. Skills development & practical ideas     (51) yes     (3) no

b. Content knowledge (history, nature)     (51) yes     (5) no

c. Motivation     (51) yes     (5) no

d. Networking/sharing ideas with colleagues     (47) yes     (7) no

6. ON THE WHOLE, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE WORKSHOP?
(24) excellent (27) good (2) fair (0) poor

7. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU ENJOYED MOST OR FOUND MOST HELPFUL?
COMMENTS:
-meeting new people from other sites
-Jim Madison’s session
-the Plenary session on Wednesday with James Madison was very informative and inspiring
-Professor James Madison - Best of Show - excellent presentation
-history for our changing audience - Dr. Madison inevitably leads great discussions.
-networking
-hands-on
-i knew very little about how to best connect a history story to an audience. I now have a foothold into a whole new area to explore
-James Madison
-the Jeopardy with “Alex” was a real ice beaker & team work - fun . The workshop was wonderful and informative
-tin-smithing, lots of fun, good hands-on session
-most enjoyed tin-smithing with hands on activity & a hand made memento to take home
-Research 101
-The information & point of view dispensed by Lois Silverman
-Promptness in starting workshops. Workshops were well planned and presented while still not stiff. Relaxed atmosphere was wonderful
-speaking with other site personnel
-Dr. Fudge
-The practicability of the presentations. I learned much that I can take away and put into use.
-the park was great. Seems like a laid back group of people
-I really enjoyed hearing James Madison
-James Madison
-Very knowledgeable speakers
-Robert Fudge’s session were particularly good
-Jim Madison did an excellent job
-Prof. Dewey Domore
-all the workshop leaders had give thought to their presentations and it showed
-networking, the workshops were the right length of time, enjoyed the nature hike
-was fascinated by the preparation for the Millennium, and the endeavors of historic preservationists and interested public citizens in saving endangered landmarks around the state, and the need for increased support
-The speakers
-The idea connecting audience to the site
-The speakers are always excellent and this year went right along. Connecting, the universal themes-very helpful
-Research 101
-Lois Silverman’s handouts
-Robert Fudge’s theme activity
-best one yet! Better mix of speakers this year
-repeating workshops/sessions is great idea. Now I don’t have to feel like I’m missing something.
-James Madison’s plenary session
-ending at noon on Wednesday
-I really liked the first plenary session on the interpretive equation
-enjoyed - James Madison
-helpful - collections care
-I found all sessions of interest. Some being more useful for our site than others
-opportunity to network, discuss current concerns with other participants
-sessions and especially one with handouts and suggestions for further resources. Repeating sessions provided an opportunity to go to all of them
-enjoyed Robert Fudge’s presentations, they were especially inspiring
-several of the sessions were very interactive; those tended to be most helpful and interesting for me
-the nature hike - I really needed to learn some things new about the natural world

8. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY LEAST, OR FIND LEAST HELPFUL?
COMMENTS:
-Dewey Domore
-collections and care could have contained much more advanced material. I am not kindergarten level. Speaker was less than knowledgeable. Actually was unknowledgeable - in that I know 10 times more, she gave information that was incorrect. This destroys her credibility.
-I don’t enjoy the group speakers - for the past five years I find the speakers that are brought in to do the main session - example: Dr. Dewey Domore a waste of time and money
I know very little of the criteria for the awards that were given. How did this process work?
-Your site through other eyes. Too much introduction. Not enough meat!
-planned activities to close together. Need for free time to spend in village
-too much back-to-back planned - would like more free time.
-Arriving to find that “Your Site Through Others Eyes” was full before I had a time to register. Got here from out of town on Tuesday. Workshops with limited seating should require pre-workshop registration not just “indication of session preference” which obviously was not applied to the list. I was pleased with the alternatives though. Nice Job as usual! Beneficial
-Indiana history professor mentioned nothing about the removal of Native Americans.
-Research 101. Perhaps invite a librarian or archivists to come and discuss research in their collections
-seemed like there wasn’t much content geared for naturalists.
-I would like to use more practical applications of applying the knowledge that were learned. Teaching skills - writing skills. Ideas for working with groups of children especially for those of us who have not had training in that area. Ms. Silverman in her workshop touched briefly on practical applications.
-Auction took to long
-Actually, I’m not sure there was anything I actually enjoyed least
-bad-agenda on red and print hard to read. Thinner is small. Not enough small groups, site specific activities. Time to get together just with your own group (with a directed goal)
-the eggs
-How about the eggs!
-2:00 - 3:00 - no applicable session choices that I hadn’t already attended
-handouts coming later - I need them now. I do love getting everything in one package and have used past workshop “packages” extensively. Keep it up, but make sure we have something if we need it now
-are your visitors returning?
-sitting all day, how about some active events (maybe group nature hikes)
-your site through other eyes was full before I got here; could we sign up for specific workshops with our registration? I really wanted to attend these sessions
-if at all possible all presentations should provide an outline; it is very helpful for note taking and future study
-for the “Your Site through other eyes II” it would have been more effective to have a couple of the pioneer village interpreters present to explain what they do and how they feel about their roles

9. PLEASE JOT DOWN ANY IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR'S WORKSHOP!

Speakers
-something maybe on UGRR? Check with Levi Coffin.
-something for computers
-Maybe - look at themes that focus on the new directions that museums are moving. How are we to include ourselves in the community. How to diversify? Maybe a panel from the community made up of individuals from different other groups
-James Madison
-Carol Kammen, Edward Linenthal, Dennis Trimble(DePauw technology and history education)
-more hands on like tin-smithing
-Nan Brooks
-Bring Lois Lambrecht - tour evaluations at your site
-Alternative interpretation, (Duo productions - audio-descriptive tours)
-have Lois Silverman bank and ask site administrators to bring their plans/or evaluation tools to the workshop. Could Lois give a planning/evaluation workshop between our annual workshop? Planning is so important
-have program presenters who won awards the previous years present their winning ideas
-a speaker like Jim Madison shoud be allocated much more time.
-workshops that take ideas presented and develop them into action/plans for specific sites
-James Madison
-Nan Brooks
-James Madison
-compelling stories compelling told by NPS
-James Madison
-Keep bringing in “practical” people instead of academics. One speaker told us what we should be doing, but gave us no clue as to how to fit it in the real world. NPS people are great! It’s theory we can use. Thanks for reinforcing last years message
-David Larsen
-James Madison
Elizabeth Kryder-Reid, new museum studies professor at IUPUI

Topics
-more emphasis on sites and parks without the pioneer/restored home themes. Ex: Grissom AFB, Angel Mds., etc.
-funding/grant writing for programs, marketing programs
Historic Gardening & seedsaving for small sites (I would like to present such a lecture ) Larime Wilson, Coordinator of Outdoor Interpretation, Wylie House Museum, 317 E 2nd St. Bloomington, IN 47401, (812) 855-6224 (mornings) lajwilso@indiana.edu
-More hands-on: broom making, pottery
-how to tell stories or be a better story teller
-heirloom seeds
-it would be useful to hear from other sites about programs, techniques, and events; how they planned, evaluated, etc.
-history overview of state historic sites. Why are they there. What “that” particular place is a state historic site
-how historic sites are funded now?/how has funding been in the past? Who are the key players. What can be done to improve the situation
-NPS certification program. Can we see examples of what the consider good interpretation. Would like to see the “real thing” examples.
-a session or two aimed at administrators
-discussion concerning programs improved by implementing improvements/criteria presented at this workshop
-need more examples of interpretation from Interpreters - role players. Actual nuts and bolts like “the tourist from hell” Interesting, entertaining role playing
-accessibility
-networking

Social Activities
-too much free time. All activities/sessions could have easily been covered in two days
-some introductions of all participants and there special areas/interests would be a good ice breaker - especially for newer members of group/without prior history with the conference
-the mixup of teams was good - lets expand on that idea
- a night at the Boogie Barn
-more hands on
-I think people who are from the same site should be encouraged to interact in some social activities with members from other sites. More Jeopardy like activities.
-auction was good. Activity centers: each site bring a display, video, traveling exhibit and leave them up for the entire time of the workshop
-maybe more ways to mix the groups so we get to know each other better. Some know each other were some of us are new, shy, etc and need help breaking the ice
-presentations of successful new programs with question/answer periods by originators

Format Changes
-It was awful easy to “skip out” on sessions, which I know several people did. I would hate to see the implementation of a strict attendance policy, but there should be a better way. Perhaps a point system?
-it might be helpful to introduce the curators at the dinner and have them introduce any new staff that are attending for the first time
-would like to have more outdoor time
-poster sessions on Monday night
-I like the shorter sessions, as it allows for repetition of the sessions
-please no more Spring Mill, find another location. We want to see more of our 3 State Parks
-Maybe offer different levels of information. A level that would be introductory for new employees. A level that would address the needs of people who have been in the museum field for any years. A level to energize creative thinking.
-something that would separate the group in specific groups
-It is difficult to sit through a session on Interpretation 101 when I’ve been doing it for years. Yet this is great for 1st year veterans. Yet at the same time offer a session on Interpretation 400 to people who just need something extra to add to their skills
-there should be a formal welcome from HSI/ISM directors Tuesday plenary session, probably.
-more time in between activities
-Allow more free time to enjoy the park
-I liked having the ability to see all session; scheduling the same session twice in a day.
-would it be possible to hold the workshop in mid-February? Or later in March? Or even in the autumn. The first of March is really a rushed time, but that is only our site. I’m not sure what is good for the majority of other sites.
-offer single rooms at a better rate than is currently offered. Too many people snore
-more refreshments between sessions, including mints
-more time needs to be allowed for check out. With most people checking out at the same time, the elevators and front desk can’t handle everyone. Because of the delay I was unable to get to the last session on time
-room assignments on sheets and papers in folders. Both handouts as well as overheads in most classes; not strictly overhead viewing. Information goes too quickly not to have outline handouts

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600