Sharing the Heritage Area's Stories Interpretation And

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Sharing the Heritage Area's Stories Interpretation And C HAPTER 2 S HARING THE HERITAGE AREA’S STORIES ▪ INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION The story of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area is intimately tied to the character of the land as well as those who shaped and were shaped by it. Here landform and climate combined to create an environment propitious to settlement, with a network of natural features, including river systems and forests, sustaining successive generations of inhabitants. Like veins on a leaf, the paths of those who settled the region are connected, providing both tangible and intangible reminders of the past. Their stories can be found on village commons, along scenic roadways lined with stone walls, in diaries and artifacts, in a cabin by a pond, along a battle road or hidden deep within a secret glen by the bank of a meandering river. Known or yet to be revealed, they provide a narrative that links the past to the future. A goal of this interpretive plan for Freedom’s Way is to ensure that those who live, work in, or visit the heritage area have an opportunity to explore, After nourishment, shelter understand and discover places within the stories that are found here. and companionship, stories Some, like those associated with Concord’s North Bridge or Thoreau’s are the things we need Walden Pond are well known not only nationally but throughout the most in the world. world. Others, like the story of Mary Haywood Fairbanks Whitcomb of Bolton, who was famous for her practice in herbal medicines, are more ⎯Philip Pullman local “hidden” treasures, known only to locals. If history were taught in This chapter outlines how heritage area partners can work together to the form of stories it would share the stories of their communities, sites and artifacts in a cohesive and never be forgotten. engaging manner. It does not intend to prescribe a methodology that fits all but instead imagines a process that allows for multiple perspectives, ⎯Rudyard Kipling illuminating and illuminated by differing points of view. 2: Interpretation & Education 21 2.1 INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION APPROACH Interpretation and education are public programming and communication activities through which an appreciation of the natural and cultural history of the region is shared either in formal or informal settings. Interpretation and education within Freedom’s Way will engage residents and visitors with the local landscapes, raise awareness, and inspire them to support preservation and conservation initiatives. Freedom’s Way Heritage Association views interpretation and education as two interconnected activities that, combined, provide a comprehensive framework for life-long learning. Memorable experiences awaken curiosity which fuels an interest in discovery. Whether in a classroom or on a trail, interpretation and education within the heritage area will provide opportunities for individuals to connect with and find themselves within the heritage area’s stories and places, building upon its genus loci to Photo, previous page: Site empower stewardship and engage new audiences. along Battle Road (mile marker, above) of Paul Revere’s The Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area will align its interpretive and capture, now in Minute Man educational initiatives with the three goals outlined in the Vision Paper, National Historical Park. His 21st Century National Park Service Interpreter Skills, prepared by the ride was immortalized in the National Park Service Advisory Board Education Committee, National Longfellow poem of 1860. The Education Council and George Washington University in 2014: interpretive panel reads: “At this stretch of the Battle • To facilitate meaningful, memorable experiences with diverse audiences Road, the famous ‘Midnight so they can create their own connections (on-site and virtually) with Ride of Paul Revere’ came to an park (in this case heritage area) resources. end. • To encourage shared stewardship through relevance, engagement and “While passing through broad collaboration. Lexington at around midnight, Revere and William Dawes met • To support global citizens to build a just society through engagement Dr. Samuel Prescott of Concord, with natural and cultural heritage, by embracing the pursuit of life- who was riding home after long learning. courting Lydia Mulliken. Prescott agreed to help spread the alarm As forms of public programming and communication through which an that ‘the Regulars were out.’ appreciation of the character of the communities and landscapes within “The three men ran into a patrol the heritage area can be strengthened and enhanced, interpretation and of ten mounted British officers education within Freedom’s way will engage residents with their local posted here to prevent word of histories, raise awareness, and encourage them to support preservation and the British march from reaching conservation initiatives. Concord. Revere was captured. Freedom’s Way includes many partners interested in history, landscape, Dawes escaped back towards Lexington. Prescott jumped his storytelling, and interpretation. They range from experienced, nationally horse over a stone wall and recognized organizations with dedicated resources for interpretation and eluded his pursuers. It was outreach to small, volunteer organizations with limited capacity. All have Prescott who carried the alarm the potential to contribute to the visitor experience across the heritage to Concord and beyond. area. “Revere was questioned, held Freedom’s Way Heritage Association will coordinate interpretative for a while and then released, programs between various partners and encourage the development of but the British officers interpretive experiences to engage new audiences throughout the heritage confiscated his horse. Revere area to strengthen regional identity. Together, with its partners, the walked back to Lexington in Association will create and implement a coordinated heritage area-wide time to hear the gunfire at dawn presentation to enhance the quality of life within individual communities on the town Common.” and establish a compelling regional narrative. (Photo by Patrice Todisco; transcription courtesy Waymarking.com.) 22 Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Management Plan Mary Rowlandson capture site, Lancaster, MA, where a 2.1.1 Planning Process and Existing Programs different kind of capture The interpretive planning process for the heritage area has been conducted entered American annals, in the simultaneously with the management planning process, informed by a seventeenth century. The tale strategic planning committee, a series of stakeholder meetings and an on- survives thanks to powerful line survey. story-telling. A nearby marker reads, “In the field nearby was While the planning processes were underway Freedom’s Way Heritage situated the garrison house of Association continued to implement and expand its existing interpretive the Rev. Joseph Rowlandson, program to inform the refinement of its thematic presentation. This work, first ordained minister of including the development of a region-wide community based exploration Lancaster. During his absence on of “hidden treasures” has revealed both strengths and weaknesses in February 10, 1675, this earlier approaches. garrison house was attacked and destroyed by the Indians. The organization has been highly successful in its citizen-led history The inhabitants were massacred initiatives with its Paths of the Patriots program serving as a vehicle for or carried into captivity. Later local engagement that can serve as a model for expanded community most of them were redeemed. outreach. Connecting Communities Along Our Trails, inaugurated in 2014 The minister’s wife immortalized in partnership with the Montachusett Regional Trails Committee, has her experiences in ‘A Narrative provided a successful model for a community driven program that of the Captivity and combines cultural and natural resources. Restauration [sic] of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson,’ first published at We have also learned, however, that, while programmatically the heritage Cambridge, Massachusetts in area has and continues to partner with community organizations from 1682.” throughout the region, we must expand those partnerships to include more youth and ethnically diverse constituencies. (Photo by Patrice Todisco.) A more thorough overview of current programs can be found in sections below. 2: Interpretation & Education 23 2.1.2 Existing Interpretation in Freedom’s Way In general current interpretation within Freedom’s Way is practiced on two tiers – one aimed primarily at attracting and servicing visitors to the region and the other designed primarily for local audiences. Five interpretive topics (as demonstrated by current tourism promotion) are identified within the region: • Concord and Lexington– events that influenced the Revolutionary War; • Concord authors; • Conservation and natural resources; • Small art and local museums; and • Specialty farms. A preliminary list of interpretive attractions that are publicly accessible and offer public programming is included in Appendix D1. While much of the heritage tourism activity is centered within the Concord and Lexington vicinity most towns, have active historical societies with interpretive exhibits and offer interpretive and educational programming. The Revolutionary War Interpretation of the events associated with Concord and Lexington on April 19, 1775, is well developed. Minute Man National Historical Park is a principal attraction. Other attractions including Lexington Green and historic house museums
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