Interpreting Our Heritage: Power Tool for Interpreters

Interpretation is the revelation of a larger truth that lies behind any statement of fact. Interpretation should capitalize mere curiosity for the enrichment of the human mind and spirit.

–Freeman Tilden, author, Interpreting Our Heritage

Think of the facts as grain: it’s hard to hold and carry in your hands, but if you weave a basket of story, that story carries and holds the facts in your mind like a basket carrying the grain. Inspired by Tilden's book of the same name, Sherry Norfolk's Interpreting Our Heritage program combines her belief in the power of story with an inborn talent for teaching, an infectious enthusiasm, and a dynamic energy that empowers and revitalizes participants in her classes.

What Do Participants Learn?

How Does the Training Work?

Interpreting Our Heritage training sessions are adapted to the specific needs and interests of each unique venue. This hands-on, interactive training provides immediate exposure to both the application of storytelling tools and the process of developing and using these tools in interpretation. Creativity and imagery are encouraged through exercises which reawaken and celebrate the inventiveness in each of us; then, participants are involved in activities which allow them to experience the power of metaphor to convey fact and passion. Group exercises guide participants in using metaphor to describe and define their particular resource, exploring ways in which words, senses, body language and vocal expression can be used to bring natural history, science and past events to vivid life. As participants gain confidence in their ability to apply metaphor and story to interpretation, they are engaged in creating and/or enhancing their individual interpretative programs with these tools. Opportunities are provided for sharing and refining these skills in the safety of one-to-one environments and within the group. Participants emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, and with a new ability to share the passionate fact.

What Supervisors Say About Interpreting Our Heritage:

I have seen the numerous benefits that the art of storytelling can bring to parks when learned and used in interpretive programs. Park Rangers being trained in the art of storytelling and actively utilizing it is a method to engage the public in the mission of The National Park Service. A skill that will enable them to pass their GS-7 competency if mastered. The growth for the employees and enthusiasm that came with the skill was tremendous. All of that was given to the numerous visitors who attended the programs given throughout this past summer.
– Lisa Collins, Supervisory Park Ranger, Grand Canyon National Park
I want you back next year to do a full day of training with my staff.
– Dennis Reason, AMfac Training Department Supervisor at Grand Canyon
We need to bring you back for a full day of training as our docents really benefited from this workshop.
– Roger Clark, Director of Education at Museum of Northern Arizona
Nice feedback and a positive session.
– Ellis Richard, Chief of Interpretation, Grand Canyon National Park
Thanks for the leadership. The evaluations are most impressive. Let’s keep doing it!
– Jim Gale, Ass’t Chief of Interpretation, Grand Canyon

What Workshop Participants Say:

Breakthrough - my first time acting/behaving like a condor/anything! I normally don't do that, but will now. Excellent, Experiential

This was revitalizing.

I especially appreciated the interaction and your flexibility in letting us bounce things off each other and tell our own stories.

The most useful thing I received from this workshop was learning techniques to allow me to be creative and tap into what is hindered by the normality of life. This workshop was so helpful to me

The modeling of storytelling by the instructors throughout their program was excellent. Keep up the great work

Getting me back in touch with stories and validating our skills was very significant to me. Keep on doing this - I loved it

The most useful aspect I received from this was the reinforcement of the idea that people remember stories more than facts and to remember to target children more, as adults learn that way too

The learning of body language use, facial language and expressions was most useful in my thinking of future program presentation.

Very useful to discover the power of images and using them to draw people into what I am saying.

Techniques for visualizing and animating will help be tremendously useful.

There wasn't any area of this workshop that couldn't be useful to Park Rangers.

This was time well spent and I plan to use and hone techniques I learned in this session.

Got me thinking from a different point of view! Definitely will improve my presentations.

One of the best workshops I’ve ever attended. Valuable info I can immediately use.

Overall, this has been a wonderful workshop that has given me ideas & techniques I will use for the rest of my career! Got excited again