What is Heritage Interpretation?

 

Heritage Interpretation is a unique method of educating or informing people and the field has actually only developed since the mid-twentieth century with the proliferation of national/provincial parks and historic sites/museums. "Heritage" refers to both our natural and cultural resources and "Interpretation" is the umbrella term given to the educational element in these institutions. Heritage Interpretation (HI) can be "personal" and rely on a person to deliver the program and process the information or it can be "non-personal" utilizing various textual or multi-media formats to transmit the message.

 

 

How does Heritage Interpretation differ from traditional teaching methods?

 

Heritage Interpretation (HI) differs from traditional teaching methods in that it makes use of first hand experiences (such as going on a hike or handling an artifact), multi-sensory presentations (such as live theatre or multi-media presentations) and interesting settings (such as parks, museums, zoos, and interpretive centres). HI methods lend themselves to experiential learning, and ordinary school classroom experience with community outreach, field trips and local studies can be augmented by visiting sites where interpreters bring history and culture to life.

 

 

Pacey's Background in Heritage Interpretation

 

Peter Pacey has devoted himself to the field of Heritage Interpretation and Museum Theatre for thirty years.

 

He was on the board of Interpretation Canada (IC) for five years and wrote a regular column in their national Magazine InterpScan. He was also IC's national chair of training for three years and instigated the revision and revitalization of their interpreter training program.

 

Pacey regularly presents training and workshops on various topics at conferences and sites throughout Canada. He was a presenter at the 2007 National Association for Interpretation international conference in Vancouver and in 2008 he presented at the Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums international conference in Ottawa. There he performed as "The Bull of the Woods" and also presented a paper entitled "Ned Winslow, Loyalist Man of Letters: from Page to Stage". In the past few years, he presented at various conferences on "The Power of Performance In Interpretation."

 

According to Pacey: "Interpretation is the ideal educational/experiential tool for the 21st Century. Globally, students and tourists are seeking ways to reconnect with their cultural roots, with nature and the environment. Interpretation is an ideal way to make these associations and to help people feel connected."

 

 

How Do I Book a Consultation and/or Training Session?

 

Pacey works in close consultation with site directors and personnel to custom-design programs that meet the specific needs and requirements of each site. He is presently working with various sites across Canada. Bookings for training and consulting in Heritage Interpretation should be arranged several weeks ahead during the peak spring/summer season.