The most effective interpreters orchestrate their interpretation to elicit a response from the audience: astonishment, wonder, inspiration, action, sometimes tears. Interpretation is a process, a rendering, by which visitors see, learn, experience, and are inspired firsthand. Interpreters must be skilled in communication and knowledge in natural and cultural history consistent with the institutions mission. In addition to the original six basic principles of interpretive design (Tilden first edition of Interpreting Our Heritage 1957), we are including the expanded list modified by Larry Beck and Ted Cable in 2002.

Original Six Principles

1). To spark an interest, interpreters must relate the subject to the lives of the people in their audience. Focus should be on the needs and desires of the visitor as the first element of consideration by the interpreter.

2). Information, as such, is not interpretation. The aim is to illuminate and reveal the alluring world. The purpose of interpretation goes beyond providing information to reveal deeper meaning and truth.

3). Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented are scientific, historical, or architectural. The interpretive presentation - as a work of art - should be designed as a story that informs, entertains, and enlightens. Interpretation is a creative activity.

4). The chief aim is not instructional, but provocation. The challenge is to inspire emotional and intellectual responses. The purpose of the interpretive story is to inspire and to provoke people to broaden their horizons.

5). Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part, and must address itself to the whole visitor rather than any phase. The visitor will first see the large significant events he will grasp relationships; he will correlate; later, he will consider details. The interpreter should present a complete theme or thesis and address the whole person.

6).Interpretation for children, teenagers, and seniors-when these comprise uniform groups-should follow fundamentally different approaches.

Beck and Cable’s Expanded Principles

7) Every place has a history. Interpreters can bring the past alive to make the present more enjoyable and the future more meaningful.

8) Technology can reveal the world in exciting new ways. However, incorporating this technology into the interpretive program must be done with foresight and thoughtful care.

9) Interpreters must concern themselves with the quantity and quality (selection and accuracy) of interpretation will be more powerful than a longer discourse.

10) Before applying the arts in interpretation, the interpreter must be familiar with basic communication techniques. Quality interpretation depends on the interpreter’s knowledge and skills, which must be continually developed over time.

11) Interpretive writing should address what readers would like to know, with the authority of wisdom and its accompanying humility and care.

12) The overall interpretive program must be capable of attracting support-financial, volunteer, political, administrative - whatever support is needed for the program to flourish.

13) Interpretation should instill in people the ability, and the desire, to sense the beauty in their surroundings – to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation.

14) Interpreters can promote optimal experiences through intentional and thoughtful program and facility design.

15) Passion is the essential ingredient for powerful and effective interpretation – passion for the resource and for those people who come to be inspired by it.