Historic Southern Indiana

Building The Story: Foundations of Interpretation
Abe Martin Lodge
Brown County State Park
Nashville, Indiana

SPEAKERS & SESSIONS

"Mechanics of Interpretation"--Track A
This session will illustrate and provide tools for interpreters to use in order to make their presentation/program real for the audience.

Foster Brown is the historical interpreter for Cleveland Metroparks. He conducts various public programs.

"Brown County Field Study"--Track B
Participants will observe and analyze a variety of live and media-based interpretive techniques at Brown County State Park and nearby TC Steele State Historic Site.

"Field Study Evaluation"
Participants from Monday's tour of Brown County State Park and TC Steele SHS will give an evaluation of the interpretation. (2 hours)

Andrea Smith is the curator for T.C. Steele State Historic Site.

"Interpretive Talk Basics"--Track A
Learn the basics of planning an interpretive talk by developing themes. This session set the tone for following sessions in Track S.

"Developing a Theme"--Track A
Participants will talk about the difference between a topic and a theme and learn the pitfalls to avoid.

"How To: Train the Interpreter"--Track B
This roundtable discussion will focus on different ways to train interpreters.

Ginger Murphy is the chief of interpretation for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. She is responsible for guiding the interpretive services a all the state park and reservoir properties in Indiana.

Fred Wooley is interpreter at Pokagon State Park in northeast Indiana. He is active in the National Association for Interpretation and serves as the caretaker/naturalist at the Wing Haven Nature Preserve, a unit of the ACRES Land Trust.

"Master Talks"--Track A
The audience will break into groups where they will hear a talk and coordinate a critique.

Various Historic Site and interpretive staff will assist with this session.

"Interpretation: Prime Example"
Hear experienced Cleveland Metroparks interpreters give an example of great interpretation.

Foster Brown & Hank Mallory. Hank Mallory is an interpreter at Cleveland Metroparks.

"Charles Deam: In His Own Words"
Hear the irascible and opinionated Mr. Deam, Indiana's first state forester, recount his life and accomplishments.

Sam Carman is education director for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. He has been with the Division of Forestry since 1978, and was previously a junior high school biology and general science teacher.

"Who's Who & What's What"
David McDaniel and Elaine Klemesrud from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will lead a fun and informative session where everyone will learn about the sites and people represented at this year's workshop.

"Historic Southern Indiana's Excellence in Interpretation Awards"
Historic Southern Indiana will present the annual "Excellence in Interpretation Awards" for Best Overall Services, best Informational Media, Best Program/Event, and Interpreter of the Year.

"Practice Talks"--Track A
As a continuation of Monday's "Master Talks" session, this session will allow participants to present a talk followed by a critique using the same questions as the previous day.

"Hospitality Training" (presented twice)
Learn about " Hospitality Habits," the impact of tourism and ways to cross-sell communities.

Leslie Townsend is the program coordinator for Historic Southern Indiana, a community outreach program of the University of Southern Indiana that stresses regional heritage preservation.

"Researching 101" (presented twice)
This session will teach participants how to approach general research and the ways to access several different resources.

"Historic Photo Researching Session"
Learn how to conduct historical research using photographs and get up to speed on Internet research for photos as well. (2 hours)

Darrel Bigham is a professor of history and director of Historic Southern Indiana at the University of Southern Indiana, where he has been on the faculty since 1970. Dr. Bigham is the author of several books. Two of the most resent, Images of America: Evansville and Images of America: Southern Indiana, chronicle life in the early 20th century through old photographs.

Virginia Terpening has two degrees in education and taught history in junior and senior high school before coming to Indiana. She has been the curator of education at the Indiana State Museum, deputy director of the Indiana Historical Bureau and is currently the director for the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis.

"Creating Memories Through Storytelling"
The manner in which we tell our stories to our visitors can create memories that last a lifetime. Stephanie Holman will discuss different techniques.

"Storytelling: The Sequel"
Further information from the 1:45 p.m. session will be provided.

"Storytelling Presentation"
This group activity will illustrate the mechanics of a presentation and show how to turn it into a tour.

Stephanie Holman is an eleven year member of the Bloomington Storyteller's Guild, also is a children's librarian at the Monroe County Public Library and an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University school of Library and Information Science.

"How To: Evaluate Interpretation and Programming"
Geared toward the experienced interpreter, this roundtable session involves developing ways to evaluate and update your site's interpretation and educational programs.

Rachel Perry is assistant director of Historic Sites for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Museums and State Historic Sites. She has a masters Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma.

"Call for Papers"
Hear colleagues discuss popular programs at their sites. Learn about the program's history, goals, and themes.

Suzanne Ullrich is the docent coordinator at Hillforest.

Angie Alexander is park interpreter at Mansfield Roller Mill.

"The Internet as a History Tool"
Accurate use of the web as a history tool can be difficult. This session will explore this huge resource and how to get the most "bang for your buck."

"Collaborating with Schools and Libraries"
Explore ways sites can collaborate with educational institutions in their area and see examples of successful collaborations.

Ginger Smith & Virginia Terpening. Ginger Smith is a fourth grade teacher at Battle Ground Elementary School.

"Historic Costuming"
Information on how to conduct research and sources for costume creation will be included.

Jill Harrison has been a senior intermittent interpreter at Corydon Capitol State Historic Site for three years. Previous to working for the SHS, she worked at the Yorktown/Jamestown Foundation and volunteered at colonial Williamsburg using first person interpretation for 13 years. Harrison researched and made historically accurate clothing for many clubs in the tidewater area of Virginia.

"Interpretation from the Visitor's View"
Interpretation from a visitor-oriented perspective. Among the issues to be addressed include how interpreters can better meet the needs of visitors and how do visitors expectations correspond to interpreters research and presentation.

"Interpreters as Educators"--Closing plenary session
David Thelen will discuss how and when Americans learn history and how interpreters serve as history educators.

David Thelen is a professor of history at Indiana University. His area of interests is social and political history in the United States since 1865, movements and democracy, and theory and practice of memory and history.

Auction
The annual interpretive workshop auction proceeds are used to help fund the Historic Southern Indiana "Excellence in Interpretation Awards" program. This year's workshop will feature a silent auction. Items will be on display and bids can be placed after lunch on Tuesday in the Melodeon Hall. Results will be announced at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

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