Product Description

Every year millions of Americans visit national parks and monuments, state and municipal parks, battlefield areas, historic houses, and museums. By means of guided tours, exhibits, and signs, visitors to these areas receive a very special kind of education through the interpretation of informative materials. For fifty years, "Interpreting Our Heritage" has been an indispensable sourcebook for those who are responsible for and who respond to such interpretive materials. This anniversary edition includes an entirely new selection of photographs, six additional essays by Freeman Tilden, and a new foreword and introduction that put this classic work into perspective for present and future generations. Whether the problem is to make a prehistoric site come to life or to explain the geological theory behind a particular rock formation, Tilden provides helpful principles to follow. For anyone interested in our natural and manmade heritage, this book offers guidance for exploring educational and recreational resources.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #187141 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
FREEMAN TILDEN (1883-1980) was a pioneer in the field of cultural interpretation. A former journalist, playwright, and novelist, he began writing about America's national parks in the 1940s with the encouragement of the National Park Service director. This led to four books on visiting, learning, and teaching about national heritage sites, of which Interpreting Our Heritage remains the most influential.

Customer Reviews

Great Manual on Interpretation
A great book especially for heritage, environmental or museology students or professionals. Its easy reading and very informative. Tilden discusses the environmental attractions more than anything, but his concepts can be used throughout. For those who have heard of Tilden's six principles, it is great to finally read them in full rather than just the points. An easy and, at times, humorous read.

Don't let the size fool you! Powerful interpretive book!
It's a short book, but packs a powerful message! Tilden is to Environmental Interpretation what Muir was to the environmental movement. His principles are quoted at national converences on interpretation. The chapters are concise and easy to read. Great first manual for anyone who wishes to do great public speaking or a professional who needs to be reminded of the basics!