produced by and for nps people concerned with interpretive interpreters IN TOUCH and visitor information services exchange

Number 10 November 1975 Thus ta the second issue of IN TOUCH to feature a particular reaion. This time the North Atlantic Region, under the coordination of Bruce McHenry, has prepared the whole issue. We want to thank Bruce and the many people in the North Atlantic Region who contributed both time and ideas for an extremely interesting and useful issue.

This first article, "The Seasonal Question", is in answer to a number of concerned inquiries received by this office regarding recent changes in the seasonal employee hiring process. We asked Gerald McDaniels, Assistant Personnel Officer here in WASO, to provide us with an insight into the operation of the new system. We hope these comments will provide satisfactory answers to your questions and concerns. R.G.

THE SEASONAL QUESTION A. The changes will not affect rehire procedures. Individuals The summer employment program has highly recommended for rehire deal been under study for some time. directly with the same park area for Recently, the decision was made to next season's employment. have applications received and pro­ cessed at the regional office level 2. Q. As a new applicant, how do I rather than at the park level. It apply for seasonal employment? is intended that this will (1) sim­ plify application procedures for the A. Send a completed Standard applicants, (2) reduce the expense Form 171 (obtained at Civil Service of handling the same person's Commission Offices) to the Regional application many times across the Office(s) having jurisdication of the country, and (3) improve the pro­ park area(s) where you wish to work. cessing of applications, including The Regional Office will send you achieving more consistency in applying additional seasonal employment qualification requirements and ranking information, supplemental forms, and criteria and in determining eligibility instructions. for veterans perference.

A number of questions are being raised Vol. 1 No. 10 concerning the changes. Although Editor Roy Graybill it isn't practical to answer every Design Keith Hoofnagle question that has been or could be Guest Editors for this issue - presented, especially since many of North Atlantic Region personnel, the details have not been finalized including Bruce McHenry, Walter a number of questions are asked fre­ Bruce, Holly Bundock, Mike Whatley, quently. The following information David Day, Norris Lee, Neal Bull- is intended to answer many of these ington, Margie Hicks, Martha Field, questions. Pat Gallagher and Bernadette Vogel. Published every other month by Division of Interpretation 1. Q. I worked in a seasonal position National Park Service last year. How do the changes affect Room 3410, Interior Building my application for rehire? Washington, D.C. 20240

2 3. Q. I worked last season and was in the Regional seasonal employment recommended for rehire in competition fact sheet which will be sent you. with others. How do I apply for woTk at the same area or at other areas? 8. Q. Will I be considered for employ­ ment in several areas in the same region A. Follow the same procedure as at the same time? a new applicant (see question 2). A. Normally you will be under 4. Q. I was highly recommended for consideration at only one park area rehire at Park A, but would prefer to in each region at any particular time. work this season at Park B. How do This will be based primarily on the I get considered there? preference order of areas you indicate (see question 7). Depending on the number A. Follow the same procedures of applicants for each area, you may receive as a new applicant (see question 2). consideration by more than one area, but Rehire privileges are valid only not at the same time in the same region. at the same park area where the high recommendation was made. 9. Q. What is the purpose for the restriction in answer 8? 5. Q. How many jobs can I apply for in one Region? A. This approach should eliminate the problem of some applicants A. You can apply for only one accepting several offers from different type of work in each region; however, areas, then showing up for only one there normally will be a number of without notifying the other areas in individual jobs in each type of work. advance. Although this could still occur with offers from different regions 6. Q. How do I find out what types the likelihood is considerably lessened. of work are available and how to qualify for them? How do I know where the jobs 10. Q. I have worked as a (volunteer, are located? cooperative education student, Student Conservation Association student, or A. The Regional Office to which you other similar situation). Will this apply will provide you with a seasonal help my chances of being hired as a brochure and a Regional seasonal employ­ seasonal? ment fact sheet which will give you this information. A. All experience related to work for which you are being considered is 7. Q. Can I apply to work in only one counted in determining your eligibility park area, or can I apply to work in all including unpaid work or after hours areas? work. However, describe what you did in sufficient detail to show the A. You will be asked to indicate relationship between that experience a preference order of the areas which you and the work for which you are applying. wish to work within each region where you apply. You may wish to work within 11. Q. When do I apply? each region where you apply. You may wish to base this decision upon information (continued on next page)

3 only part of the earth's surface and A. The filing dates for all summer therefore only part of the story of seasonal employment in the Service are man's attempt to preserve the diversity January 1 through February 15, 1976. of life and landforms of this planet. Initial applications received after In reality the national park story goes February 15 will not be considered. beyond the U.S. National Park system. It is a world-wide movement involving 12. Q. Will the Regional Office be organizations and personnel in more making the selections for seasonal than 1,100 areas in 99 countries. employment? It is the story of man's preservation of 1.6% of the earth's land surface. A. No. Selections will be made It is a story that the public deserves at the park level, as will offers to know. It can be related to your park. for employment and the related follow-up. Since the inception of Yellowstone in 13. 0. What are the specific 1872, the United States has been in mechanics of evaluating applications, the forefront of the national park referring lists of names to park movement and remains there today despite areas, etc.? the increasing sophistication of national park systems abroad. Consider A. These details are being written, the progress made in Kenya, Tanzania, reviewed, and refined at this time. Ethiopia, Jordan, Turkey, Costa Rica Final mechanics have not been worked or Venezuela and note well that the out in detail at the time of this involvement of the United States writing. contributed to the degree of success achieved. Currently the NPS is GERALD B. MC DANIELS lending assitance with UNESCO's Man ASST. PERSONNEL OFFICER in the Bioshere program which is NPS, V/ASO coordinating the expansion of the international network of biosphere reserves.

Next time you speak to a group, take the opportunity to interpret your park INTERPRETING A WORLD OF NATIONAL PARKS in the context of the world-wide network of parks and reserves. Using this approach can give you and your How many of us, in attempting to visitors a refreshing change of pace interpret the role of national and perspective. Above all, let the parks, limit the viewpoint of facts speak for themselves in your our discussion solely to the interpretation programs. And to United States and the activities bring you up to date on the latest of the NPS? facts on this subject, here are some questions based on data from But isn't this interpreting only the United Nations List of National part of the park story? We, as Parks and Equivalent Reserves: interpreters, should be concerned with communicating the whole. Each (continued on next page) of the sites in which we work is

h ... Interpreting a World of National Parks 1. Q: Do you know the ten largest parks and reserves? Answer Square Miles Northeast Greenland National Park (Denmark) 270,200 Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Botswana) 20,381 Quadi Rime Eaunal Reserve (Chad) 18,883 Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) 17,293 Salonga National Park (Zaire) 14,112 Gemsbok National Park (Botswana) 9,573 Polar Bear Provincial Park (Ontario) 9,191 Kafue National Park (Zambia) 8,6^6 Etosha National Park (Southwest Africa) 8,596 Kluane National Park (Canada) 8,500

2. Q: Do you know the largest parks by continent? Answer: Africa Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Botswana) Asia Gunung Leuser Reserve (Indonesia) Australia Unnamed Conservation Park Europe Northeast Svalbard Nature Reserve (Norway) North America Greenland National Park (Greenland) South America Bernardo O'Higgins National Park (Chile)

3. Q: Do you know the oldest parks by continent? Answer: Africa Umfolozi Game Reserve (South Africa) -1897 St. Lucia Game Reserve (South Africa) 1897 Hluhluwe Game Reserve (South Africa) 1897 Asia Kaziranga National Park (India) 1908 Australia Royal National Park (New South Wales) 1886 Europe Sarek National Park (Sweden) 1909 Abisko National Park (Sweden) 1909 Sonfjallet National Park (Sweden) 1909 North America Yellowstone National Park (USA) 1872 South America Iguazu National Park (Argentina) 1909

BRUCE E. WEBER NATURALIST GATEWAY NRA

Editor's Note: Bruce w^-s formerly Assistant Executive Officer of the International Commission on National Parks (IUCN, Morges, Switzerland) and a compiler of the UN List.

5 ON THE OUTSIDE

EDITORS NOTE- This letter, reproduced "Living history" is intended to allow below, is excerpted from the PATRIOT the visitor to participate, in some LEDGER, a daily newspaper in Quincy, small measure, in a recreation of the Mass. Plimoth Plantation, 25 miles period presented. That is the show. from Quincy is run by a private organ­ If the visitor chooses to remain ization. The Plantation is a replica merely an unquestioning observer, of the Pilgrims Bay Colony Village. he or she will not always understand Visitors to the Plantation, as in some the "how" and "why" of what is National Parks, are greeted by period happening. Perhaps the Plantation costumed interpreters at each building people need to proclaim this more in the "Living History" area. Cmdr. vigorously. Martin's comments are well taken.

On my last visit to Plimoth Plan­ tation, there were things I regretted, Dear Editor, such as fiberglass cannon in the fort and "Pilgrims" who weren't giving I read Dorothy Kelso's "Plimoth their best effort. But at the same Plantation - the Bare Necessities" time, I had most interesting chats in your July 30th issue with great with a thatcher, a broom maker, and interest. The key to the correspondent's a Pilgrim mistress busily preparing critical evaluation of the Plantation a meal. I'm glad the dummies are rests with the image she carried with gone. her to the Village, and this is a problem to be wrestled with by anyone involved in a living history project. Given the ever-present limitation on funds and the constant problem All of us, over the years, develop of securing dedicated and know­ images of what historic events and ledgeable people, I think places must have been like. These most of Plimoth's Pilgrims are images are the products of our edu­ trying hard to give us an under­ cational experiences - the textbooks standing that early life here with their glossy illustrations, the was, indeed, a case of determined patriotic films, etc. Once maturity people succeeding magnificiently is reached, few take a secondhand with the "bare necessities." look at these places and times to see what they really were like. TYRONE MARTIN Ms. Kelso does not appear to have CMDR., U.S.NAVY been concerned about historical CO., U.S.S.CONSTITUTION accuracy. She wanted a show.

6 ACADIA GARDENS Garden Club members collected the plants from around the Island, but re­ quired some manual help in the garden. Each summer a student from the work/ The National Council of State Garden study program at the University of Maine Clubs recently presented the Bar and provided by the park, was available Harbor, Maine Garden Club with the for upkeep and interpretation to the Kellogg Award for Civic Achievement. public. The award was bestowed on the group for its success in developing "The Park Superintendents since Mr. Hubler, Wild Gardens of Acadia" over a including Thomas Hyde, John Good and 13 year period. Keith Miller, have reviewed the Garden and provided encouragement and other As a joint venture between the Bar services. Harbor Club and Acadia NP, it provides, according to Club Members," appreciation These services include laying in an am­ of the immediate environment and ways ple water supply from nearby Sieur de to preserve it; to serve, propogate, Monts Spring, building a "mountain," and identify within a limited area, the digging a bog, providing student help, plants native to Mt. Desert Island, tree surgery, supplying a bulletin board, for public education and enjoyment; dispersing boxes for Club folders, post and to make an unusual and welcome cards, and visitor registration, wooden contribution to a National Park and area signs, labels for plants, building the vast public it serves." a bridge over the brook and furnishing peat and gravel. The conservation effort by club members to try propagating the Island's Just recently, the Garden bog was en­ wild flowers rather than picking larged since the plants had been over­ them led former Superintendent Harold stepping their boundaries. Park employ­ Hubler to donate 3/4 of an acre of park ees worked side by side with Club mem­ land to the project. He later helped the bers in reshaping and placing the step­ group develop the different ping stones. types of botanical conditions needed for deciduous and con­ In the Summer of 1974, park staff not­ iferous, meadow, roadside, dry iced the rare purple fringed orchids heath, beach, bog and moun­ that grow around a big tourist attract­ tain plants on the 3/4 acre tract. ion- Thunder Hole- were being picked. The tract of land, according to club The park staff decided the orchids would members, was at first botanically un­ be safer in the Garden. Rangers- stood promising. However, through perseverance by while members extracted the orchids the site, located within the park adjacent and surrounding soil for transplanting to Sieur de Monts Spring, the Park's Nature in the "Wild Gardens of Acadia." Center and the Abbe Museum of Stone Age Antiquities, has become a botanical The Garden, which is open to the public wonder. 300 species of the 400 once day and night and left unattended much recorded by the early settlers are now of the time, has become a major attract­ growing and club members are anxiously ion for park visitors. Keith Miller, pursuing the remaining 100 plants. (continued on next page)

7 ...Acadia Gardens A variety of specialists, including 15 private firms from the Boston area & Superintendent of Acadia says, "The Gar­ NPS employees are now repairing items. dens have become such an integral part The hall and kitchen require total of the Acadia Scene that it has become redecorating The remainder of the one of the most visited features in the nine room house is heavily smoke park. The Gardens are situated adjacent damaged. All the furnishings have to the Nature Center and will be included been removed and stored. within our environmental education com­ plex since it will form a significant Twelve broken windows and three portion of our enviornmental education doors, the fire and burglar alarms were programs." replaced immediately by a local company. Remarkably, professional Mr. Miller adds most parks have a coop­ house cleaners finished scrubbing down erative association but few have a local interior painted walls in less than organization taking an active part in 10 days. However, Berry noted, walls providing a service to the Visitors of that were papered represent special Acadia. problems. HOLLY BUNDOCK Park employees are cleaning Kennedy PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSISTANT artifacts removed from the house after NARO the fire. Berry has determined that none of the Kennedy memorabilia in the house was destroyed although JFK's christening gown is being specially SPEEDY RESTORATION cleaned. NPS restoration carpenters, on temporary Structural repairs to the JFK NHS detail from Longfellow NHS in nearby in Brookline, Mass., the Birthplace Cambridge, have scrapped the charred of the 35th President, along with doors and replaced three square yards repairs and cleaning of numerous of exterior shingles. other contents and furnishings at the home are now well underway after Cleaning and redecorating at the house the fire and smoke caused an estimated is progressing steadily. The private $30,000 in damage there September 8, 1975. companies, working with the NPS workers are rapidly restoring the damaged areas Russ Berry, site Superinte'dent, says the at the house in an attempt to open the house is now closed to the public and house by late March or April. However, a tentative reopening date is anticipated there is some hope that when the house is in late March or early April. structurally sound and treatment of the walls is complete, visitors could take Despite the temporary closing of the house the taped tour by Mrs Rose Kennedy and to visitors between 30 to 90 people come refer to photographic enlargements of to the site on weekdays. An interpreter each room taken prior to the fire. is stationed at the home to assist visitors and discuss house refurnishings TOM MERCER plans. Weekends see over 100 people PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST still arriving. NARO

8 FORUM LET"S PUT SOME EGGS IN TRYING TIMES THE INTERPRETIVE BASKET

There's no doubt that Tom Paine would feel The Washington Office is bargaining right at home these days. Depending on with Congress and the Administration the degree to which your Bicentennial for additional Bicentennial money. plans require special funding, you may And several years ago the service have a real urge to indulge the "sunshine centers consolidated the majority of patriot" role. I hope these few comments their construction and development will speak to your concerns. funds into less than 10% of the N.P.S. facilities. Yet, the first- Our present situation in Bicentennial pro­ line interpreter struggles for enough grams and Servicewide, is uncomfortable funds to produce good local interpretive but not hopeless. Some regions are still programs proceeding on reserve funds. Initial in­ stallments of the film festival, posters, It is hopeless at this point to expect and slide kits are now on their way; others funds to trickle down from Congress, the are on schedule. Training films have been Administration, WASO, and the Service available for months. Closure is impossible Center. But perhaps another alternative on Bicentennial, to the frustration of some can be taken at the Regional and Park viewers. level to insure occasional good interpretation. The solution is this: The budget picture is equally frustrating. shift park-wide priorities for one While bigger issues have delayed Senate year to the interpretive program. action on our request to restore the full $5 million Special Bicentennial Activities Quite often Interpretive Divisions amount for FY'76, many congressional in­ receive lower priorities than the quiries attest to the strength of grass­ Protection, Maintenance, or Adminis­ roots support. We are reasonably hopeful trative Divisions. What we need is a that the cuts will be reduced, but an Regional and Park-level decision appropriation before December is unlikely. to concentrate funding into local In the meantime, we really appreciate your interpretive programs. keeping us current on your plans since we often must give specific answers to Depart­ Could not for once the park skip that mental and congressional questions. new vehicle for maintenance or protection next year? Can not Administration wait In years to come we may have a different an extra year for a new xerox or typewriter? perspective of this period. But for the While Interpretive Divisions service-wide time being, we can only "tough it through". have been functioning for years with Recall, however, Freeman Til den's question reduced budgets, maintenance and protection in the film: "Is it good not to struggle?" receive top consideration for Regional Reserve funds.(continued on next page) Steve Lewis

9 ...Let's Put Some Eggs in purposeful, yet enjoyable. It may be a the Interpretive basket boat ride on Lake Mead, a tennis match Let's ask the other divisions to step at Gateway, or a hike at Delaware Water back every once in a while, so inter­ Gap. It may involve being a spectator pretation can have its day in the sun or a participant, being alone or in a too. Perhaps it can get the limelight crowd, being relaxed or stimulated. more than once every 200 years. It Understanding recreation is a prerequisite certainly wouldn't hurt to try. to interpreting it and therefore a prime concern of every interpretor stationed MICHAEL WHATLEY at a recreational area. MORRISTOWN N.H.P. Since the number of recreation areas operated by the National Park System A NEW KIND OF INTERPRETATION IN is steadily increasing, the possiblity NATIONAL RECREATION AREAS? is great that most park service employees will be stationed at one sometime during The recent policy establishing national their career. This fact should be incentive recreational areas brings us this enough for all interpreters to do some question: Should we consider an entirely reading about recreation. new approach to interpretation in recreational areas? Recreation areas account for some of the greatest increases in visitation Traditionally we have implemented the in the park service records. More than same kinds of interpretive programs in 58 million visits were recorded at recreation areas that we utilize in recreational areas last year, surpassing other N.P.S. units. We readily adapt the number of visits made to natural nature walks and history talks to the as well as historic area of the NPS. recreation area program. In reality, isn't the recreation area meant to be Since recreation is becoming big business a human-action oriented form of land in the National Park Service it is fitting use and therefore a separate entity? for us as interpreters to consider new Whether we choose to recognize it or not, ways to deal with it. recreation areas present us with the challenge of interpreting recreation. Our messages should be altered to enable Not nature. Not history. Recreation! us to meet the needs of a new type of visitor. We can reveal many things through an Interpreting recreation need not be a interpretation program besides wildlife duplication of natural and historic names and historic dates: interpretation. Recreational inter­ pretation should challenge the visitor 1. Americans have mastered the art of to understand the action and experience saving time through technology and the of the present. This form of interpretation role of the recreation area is to offer is personal in that it emphasizes man, the art of using time. not the environment. 2. Recreation activity is not just sports In simplest terms recreation refers to and physical action, but a continuum of any creative experience engaged in during physical and intellectual experiences. leisure time. Recreation is serious and (continued on ne:ct na^e)

10 A New Kind of Interpretation geared to a local celebration "bigger and in National Recreation Areas better"than ever. However this year Concord 3. Recreation activity is an important was a focal point in the eyes of the country, part of life that provides a change of because here the "shot heard 'round the pace that refreshes the mind and body. world" was fired two hundred years ago. At the last moment, just as the local committees 4. New kinds of recreational activities were finalizing plans, a shadow fell over should be attempted periodically at different the little village of Concord, and worse, the ages to accommodate changes of life style "wrong" type of people were heading towards and increasing amounts of leisure time. Concord for a rally. The People's Bicen­ tennial Commission made known their plans 5. Education is an important aspect of to demonstrate for "Economic Democracy" recreation that sharpens interest, skills, and against "Wall Street/Big Business" and stretches the mind to new horizons. at the North Bridge in the midst of Concord's Patriot Day Celebration! An example of communicating concepts is in visitor centers displaying relevant For the National Park Service, April 19, recreational equipment where we can 1975 was a major bicentennial celebration. utilize demonstrations and exhibits to teach visitors how to make optimum use For the staff at Minute Man the day meant of leisure time. high tension and excitement, and a desire for the day to be over. The potential for interpretation in recreation is as great as in natural The People's Bicentennial Commission history and human history, and one obtained a permit for a peaceful political which interpreters should take advantage demonstration, and felt their rights of of. dissent and assembly far outweighed any BRUCE E. WEBER inconvenience to the locality (interesting­ NATRUALIST ly enough, these same rights were GATEWAY NRA denied the Massachusetts people by the British officials in 1775). PLEASE DON'T TRAMPLE THE PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE Conservative Concordians saw April 19, 1975 as a solemn ceremony honoring their Every August the Concord River Valley brave townspeople of 1775. has blossomed with the purple loosestrife a flower used as a "Liberty Tea" by Several rally participants saw April 19, American colonists boycotting English 1975 as a "Woodstock" spirited time of teas. This year the loosestrife hillside celebration. felt more feet than usual. Some few optimists saw April 19, 1975 For the town of Concord, Massachusetts, as a chance to remember what really April 19th has been their holiday; a happened 200 years ago and to challenge town celebration every year with a few visitors to think about what we can learn "outsiders" looking on. For years the from the past. townspeople had been talking about ,Tour celebration in '75". Committees, church But the excitement in holidays lies in groups, and school children were all (continued on next pa^e)

11 the anticipation. As April 20 dawned, A quirk of history has saved some films various emotions prevailed. The staff for us. After the original release at Minute Man was relieved that no one to film houses, the masters were cut was seriously hurt and that no permanent to about 14 minutes and released to damage was done to the area. The PBC the public in a home movie business. leaders, although they would not publicly When someone had viewed a particular admit it, must have been disappointed film they could return it to the Edison that no one listened. Many of the rally Company along with a certain "trade-in participants were disappointed fee" and be sent another film for their that Bob Dylan did not show as rumored and viewing. At the time of the fire there were feeling the effect of the previous were perhaps hundreds of films in the night's drinking bout. Some Concordians mail. were both frustrated because their plans were "ruined", and surprised that their In 1974 the park staff proposed to town was still there. reproduce the American History Series and make them available for viewing This August there was no trace of that long as a part of the Bicentennial celebration. April day. The purple loosestrife came up As the technical aspects were probed we as usual. learned that a special optical printer MARGIE HICKS would have to be constructed to reproduce MINUTE MAN NHP these films onto a 16mm stock for general viewing. EDISON THE FILM-MAKER

Currently, the staff at Edison NHS is The films are not viewing at this time working on a project to reproduce some because of the fact that the surviving early Edison films. Between 1910 and home-projecting Kinetscopes are not in 1914 the Edison Company was very deeply good condition and an arc light is required involved in the film business. Although as a light source. It would take a brave many of the films were not earth-shaking historian to put an arc light that close in content at the time the mere fact to a "one-of-a-kind" film. We expect that some survive is historically inter­ the optical printer will soon be avail­ esting. One special series released able and 6 of the American Revolution by the Edison Company was the "American films will be produced for distribution History Series", a series of nine short within the NPS and schools. films dealing with the American Revolution. Although the films are dramas and have Our research has located about 45 films been called "not quite history, not of this era. While some of these quite Hollywood," they have one very films are purely dramatic episodes , they important aspect. The films were made all provide an interesting view of the and released just after the turn of times. For example, the film entitled, the century and represent views "South African Whaling Industry" should of the American Revolution at that give an excellent view of whaling. Another time. film, "One Thousand Miles through the Rockies" was taken from a train. In December of 1914 a disastrous fire ravaged the Edison manufacturing plants DENNY BEACH in West Orange, New Jersey. After the EDISON NHS fire, the Edison Company did very little work in the film industry. Editors note: See Swap Shop

12 McuZbag planned and rehearsed speech, which if varied to any extent, may blow the entire program.

DEAR EDITOR: L. LEE PURKERSON While visiting Acadia, I had the ASSOCIATE CHIEF SCIENTIST good fortune to accompany one of WASO the naturalist hikes. That day UNIFORMS, UNIFORMS, UNIFORMS I met a young interpreter who experienced his first exposure to The uniform controversy provides the questions posed by interested park Service with its in house recreation. visitors. In my view he made a I note with interest that the last most favorable first showing. He two issues of IN TOUCH contained letters became involved in a question and on this thorny topic. To keep up answer session regarding beaver. the tradition here is another offering. His answers came as from a know­ ledgeable field naturalist, or a Let me return to yesteryear, when out of student of beaver natural history, the past rides the "Lone Ranger" wearing behavior, physiology, anatomy, etc. his breeches, boots and stetson. I In my view, this is the type of recall seeing my Dad dressed in individual needed to give continued this fashion every day of his working and renewed life to park resource life. He was a real curiosity on the and environemntal education, on streets of Washington, D.C. as the a down-to-earth, grass-roots level. first naturalist in NCP. He never once flinched as he became the brunt I have not been that favorably of many newspaper cartoons and jokes. impressed by some of the artfully In fact he used them to make many prepared slide programs, in valuable contacts. One young reporter combination with either reading of of the old Washington Star became a poetry, a not too well memorized regular reporter of NCP programs. speech, taped music, or other auto­ He is now a managing editor of the STAR. mated and mechanically syncronized presentations. And with these I I somehow feel that seeing the broad- should like to include some of the brimed stetson around town would do movies being shown in visitor much to advertise our programs. It centers. I personnally favor the is part of our identity as is the eyeball to eyeball confrontation Arrowhead. Sure the "urban" ranger by slough-slogs, snorkeling, bird feels self-conscious in the city. walks etc., where interpretation Nevertheless every day I see many is informative and education, but people in uniform in the city. not necessarily entertaining. Preparation for these "experiences" Their identity is taken for granted by requires a working knowledge of the public. Do they feel self-conscious the resources, i.e., the plant- being in uniform? I rather like seeing life, wildlife, geology, history "our Director in uniform. (NPS Newsletter of the area, etc., that can be August 13, 1975). I would bet we discussed with participants rather than presentation of a carefully (continued on next page)

13 . ..Uniforms - "Interpretation hasn't had enough attention... The interpreters should might even fare better on Capitol Hill wear the uniform always. The Service if we were uniformed. How about should be Public Conscious... the the regional office staff in uniform? uniforms help people recognize rangers. They should be worn where they can be The real question is what effect does seen and do good. They're enjoyed the uniform have on the quality of by people." interpretation in parks. If we can - "The women's uniform should be do a better job without uniforms we adapted to the field uniform. should abandon them. I doubt that This is the way the Army/Navy this is the case. A person in a Women's uniform has been developed." "Flat Hat" gets asked more questions, - "I don't like the women's uniform I believe. By placing the women in the "Flat Hat" we were able to test at all. It would be more utilitarian this. Now women have the grey and to wear the field uniform at all times." green, we are becoming more recognizable - "In talking with other women rangers, as a group. The uniformed maintenance I've found that women want to look force added materially to our effectivness, like rangers...they're proud of being Sure you get asked questions if you rangers." are in uniform. Isn't that the reason for the outfit? - "I wore a uniform in Yellowstone when I was a Superintendent...and when I One final word: I feel that uniforms was in Washington I would wear it when should be comfortable but sharp. I I would go out into the field. As did guess this is a throwback to my Mr. Mather." military fatigue days. I abhor wearing a tie, expecially on hikes and beaches. - "The directorate needs to travel so much, In other words, what I'm advocating, binding them to a uniform might encomber the Service should have the same basic them too much." uniform, but with variations depending DEAR EDITOR: on the occasion where it is worn...i.e., jeans for swamp tromps, coat and tie at As a Ranger Naturalist at dinner meetings. Everglades and Shenandoah I was BRUCE MCHENRY happy to receive a newsletter with REGIONAL NATURALIST articles about interpretation written NARO by interpreters. IN TOUCH included ideas that have been tried, then written so others could learn. When ... And in considering this uniform I returned to teaching I was pleased debate, the editorial staff interviewed to receive two copies of IN TOUCH Horace Albright about his thoughts on by mail. I haven't received any the subject. He says: copies this year. I would like to keep in touch with - "The urban uniforms are terrible... the latest methods of interpretation. The field uniform (grey and green) Is there any way that a former Seasonal is based on a 60 year old tradition. can receive IN TOUCH? TIM MANKA They're distinctive." PITTSBURGH, PA.

1'v COOPERATING ASSOCIATIONS THOUGHTS ON ESTABLISHING NEW has a copy of the Activity Standards COOPERATING ASSOCIATIONS to study. If you are seeking help or advice on this question, contact Many parks in the National Park Service the Cooperating Association have established cooperating associa­ Coordinator in your Region, who tions, e.g., Natural History Association, will be happy to assist you. Historical Association etc. Many of Remember, part of the funds from sales these are in large areas, although some of suitable publications and other small parks have such associations. interpretive items are used to help the member parks to purchase needed If your park does not have a coopera­ materials to assist their interpretive ting association and you as an inter­ staff efforts for the benefit of the preter feel it would be beneficial, Park- WALTER BRUCE why not consider establishing one? COOPERATING ASSOCIATION COORDINATOR NARO The two largest associations repre­ senting many parks in their groups FOR YOUR INFORMATION are Eastern National Park & Monument Association with agencies primarily in Visitors, shopping for souvenir items the South and East, and the in a park, can count on high quality Southwestern Monuments Association merchandise. The Cooperating with agencies primarily in parks in Associations have defined in their the Southwestern states. Management Guidelines and Procedures what qualifies as a good souvenir. Small parks which do not feel they Basically, since the Association can handle the complexities of an sales do not conflict with the independent association may want to contractural rights of the con­ consider joining one of the two large cessioner, the cooperating group agencies if the park is located in their deals with interpretive items area of operation. Why not discuss such as publications, maps, this with your Park Superintendent and visual aids, handicrafts and other fellow interpreters and by all other objects that are directly means study the Cooperating Association related to the interpretive themes Activity Standards. The organization of the park. must have articles of incorporation Non interpretive items, available and bylaws which comply with specifi­ from the concessioner or private cations of the state or civil authority enterprise, are not sold. In in which the association is incorpor­ addition, original artifacts are ated. Tax exempt status must be main­ not sold. The Cooperating tained and a board of directors must Association activities, generally be established in accordance with located in a visitor center, are articles of incorporation and bylaws. available to assist the park If you are interested in establishing people with interpretive demonstra­ an association, your park probably tions.

15 RAP UP

the wind in the dunes grass with SUMMER IN THE CITY their eyes closed.

Excited children standing knee The best part of the program was deep in water, clay and sand pulled that it all happened in Brooklyn, the seine net to the shore. one of the last places many think of "Look at the fish!" when there is mention of the "great "We've got fish!" outdoors." "Those are silver-sides, " said their guide, slipping in a This program was a big step forward name at the moment of discovery. in the National Park Service plan to bring the parks to the people by This was an often repeated scene providing opportunities for enjoyment this summer as Gateway National of nature to city dwellers who may Recreation Area's "Explore the never have the chance to see the Beach" program got into full swing. great western parks. Highway-side beaches with the kid KATHLEEN SPELLMAN appealing names of Dead Horse Bay GATEWAY NATIONAL and Plumb Beach were used as the RECREATION AREA sites for the walks. JAMAICA BAY UNIT

Tuesday through Friday mornings in STOPPER PROGRAMS July and August city children from as far away as the Bronx arrived in A large portion of the visitors to Brooklyn, ran over the dunes and down Fire Island National Seashore come onto the beaches. to enjoy only the recreational uses Jamaica Bay Unit employees and of the park such as swimming and student volunteers from nearby sunbathing. It is often frustrating John Dewey High School, spent their to watch a ferry unload its passengers summer trying to change the attitudes and the majority of visitors make a of these children taught to think of bee-line for the beach. these open areas of salt marsh and beach as wasted space and even To involve more people in our programs as a handy placevto dump garbage. we have been trying to develop what They were led to discover that it was one of our seasonal naturalists calls here at these sites that they could "stopper" programs. In one such pro­ find nature. They reached out to gram a naturalist concocts his own sun touch a small fish caught in the tan lotion from vinegar, iodine and seine net, they crushed bayberry baby oil. Held in a conspicuous loca­ leaves to smell them and they listened tion this always attracts a crowd. Not to the sound of over-head gulls and (continued on next page)

16 only does it pertain directly to an develop interpretive programs with highly activity in which the visitors elaborate "philosophical" presentations, readily, if not fanatically, partake, and dominant park themes became more but it provides an opporutnity to convey and more embellished. Topics for inter­ a safety message about over-exposure pretive presentations such as "Morristown's to the sun, to interpret the sun as the effect on the success of the war" source of all energy on earth, and "Washington's leadership of the army" etc. to announce other programs of the day. developed steadily. These programs still play an important role in the interpretive Another stopper that has proven success­ operation. ful is a clamming deomonstration held in the middle of our marina. A commercial Recently, however, other programs have clammer working as a VIP pulls his rig evolved which give much more emphasis into the marina after a day on the to basic issues than to philosophical Great South Bay and proceeds to talk conclusions. For example the park about clamming gear, boats, culling, now offers a "Colonial Naturalist" who size restrictions, the market price, takes visitors down trails and through and ends up demonstrating how to open woods in the traditional format of modern raw clams with a bonus of a free taste nature/hikes. The only difference is that for those who are willing. this naturalist is dressed in colonial garb, and draws relationships to human A number of activities such as ink events 200 years ago. imprinting leaves or cooking up a batch of wild fruit jam lend themselves to On the same idea, the park also offers a this attention-gathering approach. military musician program. The musician, Making that first contact with visitors outfitted with a drum, fife, spontoon and is often most difficult and always most in reverse colors, draws visitors together important. Once you have their attention instinctively with the sound of his drum. you can open up a new world to them. Toward the end of his presentation he LORY LAGNA has generated so much interest that PARK TECHNICIAN visitors find it an effort to leave. FIRE ISLAND NS Several other programs such as the personal equipment of the soldiers, horsemanship, BACKING INTO BASICS tailoring, and spinning all have gone to basic simplified themes. And while more Morristown National Historical Park elaborate topics are still presented and has been caught up in the Bicentennial developed, the simple themes aid greatly as much as any N.P.S. area, and out of in the visitors' understanding of these necessity has been expanding its inter­ more complex themes. pretive operation to meet the need of increased visitation. Oddly enough the But after all is said and done, it is very same Bicentennial that causes so also a return to several obvious basic much panic also fostered a number of presentation techniques, such as nature excellent interpretive approaches that hikes which take place in the element being might otherwise have been overlooked. discussed, or music presentations which do not require prior advanced knowledge to Years of modest visitation and routine interpretation at Morristown tended to (continued on next page)

17 the events of the American Revolu­ tion written and produced by Theatre in a Trunk, Inc. Deliberately geared to grade school children, the play is an imaginative yet thoughtful romp that successfully draws younger audiences into the play as willing participants.

"The Raree Show" is a documentary drama that explores the hard choices forced upon both sides during the Revolution. Nearly every word of this play's dialogue is verbatim from historical sources. The play was be understood, that have been one of the written and produced by the Four most pleasing, though unexpected, results Winds Theatre, Inc. First performed of the Bicentennial. in England in 1970 it had its American premiere at Federal Hall in MICHAEL E. WHATLEY 1972. Aimed toward adults, "The MORRISTOWN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Raree Show" is a series of dramatic vignettes that lightens its serious message with comedy and music.

Both companies are familiar to the PERFORMING ARTS IN THE Park Service. Theatre in a Trunk NORTH ATLANTIC REGION has also performed "Theodore Thunder and the Greedy Grabber" at Theodore Theater is alive and well in the Roosevelt Birthplace, "There is a Lion North Atlantic Region. During Inside of Me" at Statue of Liberty, October, performances of a lively "Cockroach and Flower Soup", done play called "One, Two, Three, especially for the Park Service Four - Dump the Tea and Start the Centennial and performed at Fire War'. " took place at Fire Island, Island and Roosevelt-Vanderbilt, and Roosevelt-Vanderbilt, and at "Jack in the Beanstalk" at Morristown several of the Gateway and New and at Fire Island. "The Raree Show" York Group sites. Next spring the has been seen at Morristown, and other same production will travel to Four Winds Theatre productions include other areas throughout the Region. "So Long My Tottie", a sea tale presented Planned also for spring is a at Fire Island and Salem Maritime, and Region-Wide tour of another play "Fun House - A Victorian Carnival" called "The Raree Show". Both performed at Statue of Liberty. productions are sponsored by the Region as Bicentennial activities. The performing arts are fast becoming a Park Service tradition. They have "One, Two, Three, Four - Dump proven their value as another means the Tea and Start the War!" is a rousing adventure centered on •(continued on next page)

18 ...Performing Arts The feather could lead into a of interpretation. Drama adds a discussion of the function of bird dimension that permits the dry facts songs and calls (perhaps with the to be elevated to new levels of aid of a cassette player). A discussion understanding. And, last but not least, of birds and music could develop. our audiences respond with enthusiasm, From classical music (i.e., "Swan Lake", Dvorak's "The Wild Dove", EDWARD KALLOP Stravinsky's "The Nightingale") REGIONAL CURATOR to "pop" music (i.e., "el Condor NARO Pasa", "Listen to the Mockingbird", Yellow Bird","Snow Bird", John Denver's FEATHERS OF A BIRD STICK "The Eagle and the Hawk"). TOGETHER Reference to birds in our literature Few people seem to realize how are numerous, including mythology we borrow from the natural world and the Bible. In drama we find to enrich our lives. A singular Aristophanes' "The Birds", Chekov's object from Nature has excellent "The Sea Gull", and Ibsen's "The environmental education potential Wild Duck". Recent and modern by relating it to man's culture. prose offers the writings of A bird f.eather is a good example. Audubon, Thoreau, Henry Beston, and Finding a bird feather while on Joseph Wood Krutch among many. And an interpretive walk, or taking one of course there is always "Jonathan with you and waiting for the Livingston Seagull". Poetry offers "interpretive moment" or resting many examples, from the symbolism of at a "puff stop" can all provide "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to the right opportunity. Since "Hark, Hark the Lark", "To A Skylark", earliest times birds have affected and of course "The Raven" among others. man's culture. A record is now available on birds in literature. Interpretive use of a feather could begin with a description Modern slang gives us all kinds of of its design, structure and examples of how birds become part of function as a part of a living our culture: "chicken out", "stool organism - the bird itself. pigeon" (the origin of this phrase Mention can be made of its color is fascinating - and very tragic), and the function of color in a. "night owl", "loony", "to eat crow", birds as to protection, sexual "have a lark," etc. Birds in legends, recognition, and courtship. birds in history, and the human use of birds and their feathers offer The feather could then be related many educational possibilities. to the influence of birds to man's graphic arts - from prehistoric The above are only a few examples cave drawings to the paintings of taken from a handout developed for Audubon and contemporary bird environmental education and interpretive artists, to birds depicted on use at Cape Cod National Seashore. money and postage stamps, to sculpture and symbols of governments. (continued on next page)

19 . ..Feathers The "Boston Bunch for Lunch" gatherings Its premise can be used anywhere have become friendly, informal times and with other natural objects found for sharing ideas, problems, and in Nature. The handout ends with an common goals, and for simply getting environmental story called "Gulls to know each other better. "The Terns and Man..." I would Broadside" has proved to be a useful be happy to send a copy to anyone interpretive tool, featuring historical interested. articles, interesting or little-known facts, current events and special RICHARD L. CUNNINGHAM happenings relating to Boston NHP and CHIEF OF INTERPRETATION its environs. It has also helped to CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE further public recognition of the National Park Service in Boston and its role in the preservation and interpre­ WORKING TOGETHER IN BOSTON tation of the sites involved. And, perhaps even more important at this Boston National Historical Park stage, "The Broadside," like the lunch is becoming more of a reality as meetings, has helped to create a team time goes on. For the first time spirit among the individuals, in and this summer uniformed NPS interpre­ out of NPS, in the several diverse ters presented a modest but success­ and independent units of Boston NHP. ful program at Faneuil Hall, one of the seven units included in the DAVID R. DAY new park. Our first season also got PARK TECHNICIAN a big boost in June from the premiere BOSTON NHP at Faneuil Hall of the NPS Bicentennial Traveling Show, "We've Come Back For a Little Look Around," which was very well received here in Boston.

In addition to starting up an Inter­ pretive Program at Faneuil Hall, the Boston NHP staff also had the important task of making contacts and developing good relationships with non-NPS managers and interpreters at the other six units of the park. These include: Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, the Charlestown Navy Yard and U.S.S. CONSTITUTION, and Bunker Hill Monument. Two very positive results of these efforts have been bi-weekly luncheon meetings for staff members of the various sites, and a periodic Some may find this sign, or something publication entitled "The Broadside" similar, effective in interpretation containing articles by people in all programs. This guards the gate at King's seven units. Chapel Burying Grounds, Boston.

20 INTERPRETING THE SKY ARE WE REALLY "IN TOUCH"?

I used to think that it was extremely As a Seasonal Naturalist, I recently difficult to interpret the sky — IT'S became aware that supervisory personnel NOT! Thanks to Tom Carey of the can easily get out of touch with the Vanderbilt Planetarium and Interpreting "real world". On the Blue Ridge the Sky by Von Del Chamberlain, I found Parkway, certain supervisors have it exciting, and a rewarding way of found a way to get back in the involving the visitor in an interpretive swing of things. activity. What's happening is that the supervisor The sky is a place to ponder and to schedules himself into the weekly reflect on the past, present and future. program. It is best if he schedules Here we can gain a "mystical sense of himself once in each program area. wonder". You and the visitor can In this way he can build up his rapport make your own discoveries and reflect with the seasonal naturalist. on where you are in relation to the universe and where we are possibly Nothing makes for better group involvement going. and dedication than "the boss" pitching in "hus the Supervisor can show how I began on a small scale with a few things should be done. people who stayed after my regular A case in point is Dan Hand, Seasonal evening program. Outside we would Supervisor, Bluffs Interpretive District. lie on our backs, heads touching — He has scheduled himself into each forming a wheel. Using a flashlight interpretive activity. In 'the course as a pointer we would begin with the of two weeks he does at least one of most familiar and work from there, everything. He also keeps a couple of telling ancient myths and legends days free each week to help work up new along the way. I ended with a few programs, or help individuals. thought-provoking unanswered questions. Dan says that the program lets him meet the public and also strengthens inter­ You can write to me and I'll gladly personal relationships. Dan has found provide you with both star maps and that such an approach helps knit the a reference bibliography. whole group of seasonals together. I hope that each of you "learn" to know the stars so you too may With your supervisor in a role that you feel you "...have come to know the may count on for "in service" help, he stars too fondly to be fearful of becomes a part of the program, rather the night." than just in charge of it. DAVID R. LEATHERWOOD DAVE GRIESE SEASONAL INTERPRETER PARK TECHNICIAN BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY FIRE T^LAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

21 COLONIAL NATURE PROGRAM the stream through the forest. These visitors are introduced to types of The Jockey Hollow section of Morristown timber trees, forest recharged National Historical Park is an 1100 acre streams, deer trails, game tracking, tract of sheltered hardwood forest which food sources as varied as: hickory encompasses wet hollows, well drained nuts, birch bark, hibernating slopes, and dry hilltop sites in a amphibians, ferns , small game and largely suburban area of New Jersey. The various fruits by a farmer-hunter forest itself is in third growth after in period dress. Eighteenth century extensive use by the Continental Army clothing, tools, and tanning as well and subsequent use as a woodlot by as recent occurrences such as the local farmers, but its present American Chestnut blight, the Dutch condition approximates the state it Elm disease, and the Gypsy Moth might have been in when the Army arrived problem are incorporated in the in December, 1779 for their winter forest walk. The talk is flexible encampment there. enough to accommodate visitor groups of three to forty, and can easily Colonial man had few alternate sources be altered to fit groups of almost of supply, so he relied heavily upon any age or background. Public response the forest resources available to him. has been testament to its overall Most of the soldiers in our Continental appeal. Army already had a good working knowledge of the forest and the natural systems Hopefully the program will continue. functioning within the forest. This The main limiting factor is accommodating man/land relationship is the subject the large visitation with only a of the new colonial nature program here single developed trail and one guide. in Morristown. The park visitor now experiences a new aspect of history, and with increased The nature hikes were developed because public interest in "environmental of public interest in man's role in the awareness," the program could easily forest, the park's desire to increase become a new focus in the. park. the utilization of its extensive land JOHN DWYER resource, and my desire to apply my VIP AMD PART-TIME INTERPRETER background in forestry and land use to MORRISTOWN NHP the historical program at Jockey Hollow. Drawing on the library resources at Morristown, knowledge I already had, TAKE YOUR DRUM & BEAT IT, KID the presentations of other park inter­ preters, and a couple of weeks cruising This past summer saw the development the woods and trails of the park, the of a number of new interpretive pro­ talk took shape and was presented on a grams at Morristown National Historical daily basis from June-September. Park, one of which was the 18th century military musician. This program com­ Our generally urban visitors become bined various areas of interest including aquainted with some of the foods, the 'world' of the Company of Fifers and medicines, hunting skills, logging Drummers for music, the Brigade of and forestry techniques used by the American Revolution and Harper's colonial man on a thirty to forty- Ferry for authenticity, plus the back­ five minute hike on a trail following ground of a history teacher.

22 ...Take Your Drum preter for the Park Service at Morris- These different areas came together over town. With the help of the research a period of years while I was a member facilities at the Park and Harpers of a Fife and Drum Corps in the North Ferry, a correct uniform was made Jersey area. These Corps, members of depicting a musician of the 1st Penn a loosely formed federation called Line. the Company of Fifers and Drummers, are criticized by the B.A.R. and other The program presents the use of the purist groups because they lack the fife and drum as a means of communication accuracy in uniform and "by the book" on the battlefield and in encampments. military bearing. The emphasis in A man could be whipped for firing a these organizations naturally was musket without reason, but fifes and concentrated in the music. Another drums were the constant sound a soldier point argued by the purists was that would hear. The adult with the bright these Fifers and Drummers used a red coat shatters a few misconceptions, variety of music from the earliest showing the variety of uniforms as well known tunes to the present day music, as the fact that many musicians were in with an unlimited number of arrange­ their 20's and 30's and well trained, ments for all thier pieces. practicing 3 hours a day. It was indeed a vital position. These purist units, on the other hand, were so painstakingly accurate with This program not only presents a positive uniform detail they ignored musical picture of the National Park by adding ability. They took anyone who could another dimension, but also presents hold two sticks (usually someone's a new thought to the general public infant son because everyone knows in an entertaining way. The gratification drummer boys were small) often unable is shown by their enlightened faces when to read or play music. This may they exclaim "I didn't know that!" seem rather strong but for many groups, this was no exaggeration. GEORGE PRICE INTERPRETER In an effort to present a more MORRISTOWN NHP accurate picture of the musician of the 18th century I developed, with my drum corps, a presentation RELEASING VISUAL CREATIVITY IN of music and exercises. We used the PARK PROGRAMS basic drum rudiments and researched drum and fife calls, as well as the Too often naturalists rely on stand­ traditional airs reported to have ardized approaches to visual presen­ been played at different events. This tations. Slides, movies and specimens program was extremely well received still remain for the most part stand­ though still looking 'hoakie' in ard fare. Yet, many staff members makeshift uniforms. harbor untapped skills and creative talents that may have lain dormant The offer was made (and of course since their youth. As a former con­ I couldn't refuse) to put the various sultant of art for the Chicago public 'worlds' together in a formal presen­ schools and a seasonal naturalist for tation to the general public as an inter­ 10 years, I have encouraged staff

23 members, with great success, to employ views of birds like the herring gull, their own drawings to add interest the black-backed gull, and the osprey. and give variety to evening programs. Several naturalists in Acadia National To develop a visual program one should Park have utilized sketches and photo­ search for a format which emphasizes graphs of their sketches for children's one or two concepts and then search for programs and evening programs. forms which will be a vehicle for presenting these concepts. It will Chalks, acrylic paints, and felt pens be necessary to do some research through can all be used to produce remarkable photographs and drawings on these forms effects. Wrapping papers, butcher for accuracy. papers, shelf papers and newsprint, in assorted colors, set a mood or If you've always wanted to draw and create a dramatic background. paint, begin now. Start a series of sketches in a notebook. Practice This season in Acadia an entire 50- each day drawing from life or from minute program was devoted to identifying photographs and observe carefully the seashore animals and the scenic the styles of other artists. Your wonders of the Maine seacoast. The attempts will always be met with program follows a long tradition of respectful admiration on the part landscape painting begun by Thomas of your audience as they watch in Cole, one of the greats of the Hudson rapt anticipation for the next form River School, who in 1844 was one of to make its appearance. the first to come to the area of Acadia National Park to reveal JOHN MULDER the magnificence of the Maine Coast. SEASONAL NATURALIST ACADIA NATIONAL PARK A heavy two-layered laminated brown wrapping paper was first cut to fit the four-foot by eight-foot size of A SPEECHLESS INTERPRETER the plywood easel, then each object was carefully pre-drawn, using a What about an evening program that soft lead pencil. The drawing was is something other than talking with divided into three spheres: below slides? Illustrated talk programs are the sea, on the surface of the sea, great and I am not suggesting that we and the air above. discontinue them. However, there are other types of programs that can be The codfish, the lobster and the done. Three years ago at Acadia I lobster trap were the first to make decided to try something different their appearance in the undersea for an evening program. I felt I portion of the program. These forms could express love for Acadia in a were followed by the lobster boat, way other than talking. I have seen and the birds that are commonly seen this done many times on films and in swimming on the surface of the sea. classrooms but have not see it done Double crested cormorants, eider ducks in a National Park amphitheater. and black guillemots were featured in this segment of the presentation. I srpnt an entire year taking pic- The program then concluded with airborn (continued on next page)

2k tures of Acadia that expressed the A QUESTION OF CONFIDENCE life of the park: its moods, its beauty, its hidden features and even If the big emergency happens today its deaths. will I know how to handle it? Will I be able to hand it over to the The slides were set to music with appropriate Protection Ranger in­ not talking at all. I timed the cluding all the information, des­ slides to fit popular, contemporary, criptions and evidences he'll need? and classical music so that both But hopefully it won't happen today. could tell the same story. When It almost never does. When it does the lyrics had something to say, or happen, how many of us say "I'll call when there was a crescendo or a low a Ranger!"? This is surprising to point, I used a slide that helped the victim, since we look ."just like to reinforce the words or the mood. a Ranger. Many of us were once Protection The slides were synchronized to the Rangers and some have had 400 hours sound on reel-to-reel tape. A Kodak of Law Enforcement. But what about carousel sound synchronizer was used the rest? How many Interpreters to record the slide change signal possess a degree of expertise in on one channel of a two-track stereo Law Enforcement appropriate to recorder and the music was recorded their hat and badge? How many on the other channel. are confident?

The result, I feel, is most successful. How many Protection Rangers hope The comments of people at the camp­ the Interpreter doesn't get involved ground amphitheaters and at the Visitor in the emergency? Are these attitudes Center have been favorable. There are founded on accurate evaluation of always technical improvements necessary, Interpreter performance in Law but I am convinced that this approach Enforcement? Are Protection Rangers has given visitors of all ages a new confident that they clearly see and different perspective of Acadia the role and function of the National Park, a mood that they can Interpreter in Law Enforcement? How take with them as they leave. many Rangers have the confidence to plan, develop, and teach a Law This technique may be useful in Enforcement for Interpreters historical as well as nature programs Course? in the coming season. Why not consider What other different avenues are it? there to build Law Enforcement skills and confidence within the Interpreter? MEL EVERLY Shall we continue to wait until "some­ INTERPRETER one has an accident before we learn ACADIA NATIONAL PARK first aid"? Do we want to build confidence to order? A Law Enforcement for Interpretation should be developed as part of each park's training program.

E. PATRICK SMITH PARK NATURALIST CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE

25 IMAGES & INCIDENTS OF A BICEN­ Betsy Schissel (volunteer) "The morning TENNIAL CELEBREATION was grey and damp and I was surprised to see how many tents had sprung up over April 19th, 1975 at Minute Man night. Much of the hillside had been Historical Park turned into a field of mud strewn with litter. I kept thinking how much of a contrast this scene offered to the morning of April 19, 1975!" Cynthia Kryston (Interpretation)"... • a large question mark over North Sue Buckborough (volunteer and seasonal) Bridge, wondering if those present at "Beer cans heaped in the Manse field. Two the ceremonies really were thinking of sleeping young men beside the British soldier, what April 19th stands for." grave with a vodka bottle between them. 6AM People quitely jamming together behind stone Dave Moffitt (Superintendent) "...a walls, the hullabaloo when the President picture of many NPS people...all working arroved. I was in the midst of the boos. together long hours with cheerful words The the anticlimax of bands, minute men, of encouragement and many, many smiles. Total cooperation. A very good natured in the parade. On April18th it was fun crowd." to see 'Dr. Prescott" practising charging over the North Bridge with A Minute Man staff person "The most thunder of hoofs—then came the 19th. powerful image I have of the 19th is the The bridge was too packed with people so picture of the people in the PBC running he had to wait ten minutes to get a across the muddy field and threatening little path clear to walk across. His President Ford." great moment squashed."

Jim Eckes (Resource Management) "A large Rich Pendergraft (Interpretation) "Masses drunken party." of people coverging on the North Bridge area on Friday, April 18 and throughout Eric Heath (volunteer) "I never knew the the night, perpetual noise in the drone feeling of electricity in the air unitl of the crowd, the firing of ceremonial the 19th...an atmosphere of tension and cannon, the inaudible echo of the nervous excitement." Yet some feelings President's speech and the jeering of the were "killed by the odor of marijuana demonstrators. on the ButtricV Billside". Boston National Historical Park

Used as a masthead to THE BROADSIDES, the pictures depict the seven areas of the Historical Park. (See page 29.)

26 A PIECE OF TIMES WEAVING amphitheaters and auditoriums, I immediately recognized many of my old "We are the sum of all our moments," problems. Huge audiences in large Thomas Wolfe wrote. At Sand Beach in areas with rotten acoustics, coupled with Acadia National Park, one gets a competition from wind, water, and glimpse of this, as a storm that uncovers people, often rendered the interpreter a wrecked schooner on the beach and also inaudible ...just like the good old days. in the minds of those who knew it. A summer storm tossed the schooner on This need not be so. This summer my the beach in 1911. Sandstorms quickly family delighted in an interpretive buried it. More than thirty years later, program at Busch Gardens in Tampa. a winter storm dug up the ship. A young guide gave an excellent bird talk in an open amphitheater. His delivery While it lay forgotten under the sand, and content were beautiful, but we schooners slowly disappeared from were equally impressed with the audio the sea. Fish, lumber, lime, and granite system which carried his obviously began to move over land instead of over amplified voice to every corner of the water along the Maine coast. the theater. As he talked about the When the storm uncovered the hulk of birds, he walked from one to another the old schooner, it awakened the and was able to use both hands unen­ memory of a few, who remembered other cumbered by wires and microphones. wrecks as well, and recalled not The fidelity was superb. just one life lost at Sand Beach, but other lives lost in other storms. Later, he showed me how. A tiny And they remembered little things: microphone was clipped invisibly A .pilot who applied for a license, inside his shirt. This was attached who knew all the rocks in a bay to an equally unobtrusive radio because he had hit them all; a transmitter clipped to his belt. The skipper's wife who expressed transmitter was battery operated, disapproval effectively when her hence no wires! In the rear of the husband went on a spree... by saying stage was the receiver and the speaker. nothing at all. His hands were free and he was not Thus a natural change paralleled a restrained by microphone wires. human one, and opened a window This would also eliminate the "fear- on a way of life that was gone. of-the-mike syndrome" which plagues WINSTON MOODY so many inexperienced and new ACADIA NATIONAL PARK interpreters.

Woti and BoltA I was impressed enough to write the Director of Busch Gardens who MINI-MICROPHONE A BIG HELP was kind enough to send me the While it has been several years since specs. The company, ENCOR, 3030 I have been actively involved in Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA field interpretation, I still have 92626, Tel.: 714/556-2740, will not forgotten some of the problems gladly send you details. The that beset the field interpreter or fidelity of the sound, the his supervisor. When I visited several operational simplicity, and the parks this summer and took in a number freedom of movement that the of evening programs in campfire circles, system affords is such that it should

27 be standard equipment wherever amphitheater, campfire and other talks are given. SAUL W. SCHIFFMAN STAFF CURATOR BRANCH OF EXHIBIT PLANNING AND DESIGN HARPERS FERRY CENTER

BLACK AND WHITE SLIDES?

What do you do with those black and white photos in your files? Do you let them gather dust? Interpreters at Mesa Verde have a different idea: black and white slides - not color slides of black and white pictures, but the real black and white.

Through a process developed at Mesa Verde National Park, black and white slides of excellent quality can be made through conventional black and white film and standard darkroom techniques. Not only is it cheaper ($1.22 as compared to $7.23 - total cost for a roll of 36 slides) but by coupling an enlarger to a camera body, an entire step is eliminated in the slide-making process. The result is a cleaner and sharper black and white slide with better rendition of the gray areas. The quality is better than conventional copying techniques.

Recently, an entire campfire program used just the black and white slides to portray the early park history. JIM DAVIS Visitor response was enthusiastic SEASONAL RANGER (HISTORIAN) and over one hundred photos from MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK 1890-1930 period were put into active circulation. A METHOD OF MARKING SELF-GUIDING TRAILS If this sounds interesting, contact me at Mesa Verde National Park, CO Most park interpreters have experienced 81330, Ph. 303-529-4575 for a copy the headaches of finding a method to of the technical report of the process. (continued on next page)

28 indicate stops along a trail which is newspaper, intended to increase visitor self-guiding with a leaflet. Any marker awareness of the new concept in National which really looks nice is taken by Park Service Management, and to provide souvenir hunters. Anything else is a medium for creative stories, historical subject to a veritable Pandora's notes, and present problems that may be Box of troubles: Vandalism, animal of interest to those who visit Boston abuse, etc. and its historic sites. Each unit of the new Park periodically submits stories A simple alternative which I have used relevant to its individual site. The with success on paved trails and board­ combination of these articles has proven walks is the painted marker. I use to be an interesting, cohesive interpretive heavy cardboard to make an arrowhead- tool, providing an "extra touch" for the shaped stencil, then paint the arrow­ visitor, and, equally important, tying head at the edge of the trail in an the seven very diverse units of Boston appropriate color. The number of the National Park together. stop goes on top in a contrasting color NORRIS LEE of paint. The result is attractive, PARK TECHNICIAN inexpensive, readily visible, easy BOSTON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK to maintain, and will usually hold up through an entire visitor season. COMPASS ROSE Changes in the numbering system, or even complete removal, are relatively Something we've done at Fire Island easy to effect. National Seashore this year is to paint Compass Roses (some plain - NEAL BULLINGTON some fancy) on conspicuous central INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST boardwalk areas. These devices are EIRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE great for those new to the area for orientation and great for wind, TYING IT ALL TOGETHER storm and weather direction, star talks and a host of other programs. What do the Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Old All it takes is a bit of imagination, North Church, the Paul Revere House, a simple compass to lay it out, a Bunker Hill Monument, and U.S.S. piece of string and a thumbtack to CONSTITUTION have in common? In draw the circle. Then tape, paint, addition to their historical signi­ brush and you're all set! ficance, all seven are units in the newly authorized Boston National Visitors can stand in the center Historical Park. There, however, the and thereby cast their shadow on the similarity ends. Each site is rim. By some simple precalculations independently owned and operated by you can tell the time of day. A more various public and private agencies, accurate method would be to use a ranging from the United States Navy stick for the center so that the to the Episcopal Church of Massachusetts, shadow is more defined. It's lots with various purposes and longstanding of fun, a great eye catcher and functions. educational as well....and it doesn't cost much!! A certain unity has resulted from the PAUL STOUTENBURGH publishing of THE BROADSIDE, a cooperative NATURALIST, OLD INLET FIRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

29 Here's a recipe for homemade suntan Cunatosi'4 Connzn lotion. Interpreters at Fire Island mix up batches during their programs. WHAT ARE PARK COLLECTIONS?

16 oz. of baby oil A seemingly safe question is what are 1 tsp. wine vinegar park collections? An answer is they h tsp. iodine are all those items of property listed 1 oz. of cocoa butter in a stick in the park museum catalogue as well as (Pharmacists stock this ingredient) in various sets of records, and which are subject to the instructions, Melt the cocoa butter down to a liquid. constraints, and advice published Combine with the other ingredients and in the National Park Service Museum mix well. Apply liberally to -the skin Handbook. Another answer is they are which is exposed to the sun. all those objects immobilized behind a room barrier or inside plexiglas Simp^kop vitrines in the park museum or visitor WANTED-EDISON FILMS center, or lying wrapped in acid-free tissue in fireproof metal cabinets. Staff members at Edison NHS are beginning to reproduce some of Collections are composed of specimens - Thomas Edison's films, considered objects to the laymen since specimen dramas and referred to as "not is a term peculiar to the natural quite history, not quite Hollywood." sciences. All objects in a collection Representing the early silent are in some sense original, not copies of movies, original negatives of the originals which as reproductions are films have not survived but rather classified as such even though they copies of the films. Warren "Denny" may be exhibited alongside originals Beach, interpreter, has called for with similar degrees of protection. help in trying to secure these Original objects are subject to valuable, historical films. He continuing conservation needs and their says, "If, in your travels, any of preservations is a Park Service mandate. you good folks out there in Park Service land come across a But what else are park collections? small cannister about the size of Collections either as a whole or in a large tuna fish can and it says their parts are the firsthand evidence Edison Home P-X Film on it, latch of history - in the broadest sense of onto it, because it may be one the word. By looking at our collections of a kind film that is needed." with fresh imagination from time to time we are, if lucky, inspired by a WANTED: Fire Island National new idea. It is this act of discovery, Seashore is looking for artifacts an act largely self propelled, that makes from the Life Saving Stations along the sometimes tedious task of acquiring the east coast. These would include knowledge worthwhile. Firsthand, surf cart, breeches buoy, Lyle gun, primary materials - our collections projectile, faking box, etc. - are tools with which to accomplish this act. Please call 516-289-4810 or write to Dave Griese, Fire Island Interpreters are inclined to start with the National Seashore, Box 229, idea and find the materials to support it, a Patchogue, NY 11772 deductive approach that comes naturally to

30 anyone trained to communicate in a formal Vacuum cleaning with a clean brush way. It makes the job easier. It does not, attachment is the most preferred however, offer the communicatees the same method of removing dust. Carvings, luxury of self discovery open to the inter­ corners, and hard to get places can preter. This is an unfortunate by-product be dusted with a soft fiber brush. of limited time, too many visitors, cost- Lint free cloths and feather dusters benefit ratios, and justifiable fears that can be used but they tend to scatter in using objects from our collections we the dust and may snag loose decorations are violating our mandate to preserve them. or flaking finishes and pull pieces off.

After vacuum cleaning, remove dirt and Park collections should be a continuing wax by wiping the surface with a clean source of information not to mention soft cloth dampened with mineral spirits. inspiration. Interpretive staffs should Recommended mineral spirits in order of not regard their collections only as preference are: Stoddards solvent, artifacts whose message is frozen in benzine, vmp naptha, and varsol. Some the catalogue records. By examining spots may come off with water and very collections for what they have to say stubborn wax may require distilled about the park, however indirect, we are turpentine, but use this as a final acquiring not only information but leaving measure. An old toothbrush may be used ourselves open to new insights. This calls for using our collections. To use them is to clean hard to get places. Follow not automatically to destroy them - it is up with a clean, dry cloth and brush out a simple matter to find out if intended carvings, etc., with a soft fiber brush. .use is potentially destructive. Use them, learn from them, be comfortable with It may be necessary to follow with a them, and with them give the visitor, second cleaning using mild soap (Ivory too, the chance to be inspired by or Lux) and water to remove dirt. Deter­ a new idea. gents are not recommended. They leave a film which is difficult to remove and may EDWARD KALLOP permanently damage some finishes. A cloth NORTH ATLANTIC should be dipped in water, then wrung out REGIONAL OFFICE well. Use just enough soap to make a light suds. Always follow with a clean damp cloth, then a dry cloth. CLEANING FURNITURE FINISHES If you are working with veneered or inlaid The furniture finishes with which we furniture, use water very sparingly. Clean ordinarily work are shellac, varnish, a small area at a time, them wipe dry with paint or lacquer. So it is with these a clean cloth before moving on to the next materials in mind that we make the area. If the finish is worn or cracked, following suggestions pertaining to do not use water at all. Use only the cleaning of the finish. CAUTION: turpentine or mineral spirits. These suggestions are for sound finishes only. If the furniture The above methods of cleaning will remove finish is dry and flaking, or has the wax finish, so rewax after cleaning. loose pieces of decoration, do not attempt to clean it but seek pro­ fessional advice through your Regional Curator or the Division of Museum RALPH SHEETZ Services, Harpers Ferry Center. HARPERS FERRY CENTER

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