From Facts to Meaning: A Sense of Place Approach to Inclusive Natural and Cultural Heritage Interpretation
Explore using a sense-of-place lens while experiencing practical interpretive tools for uncovering layered stories, perspectives, and meaningful visitor connections to place.
Led by: Erica Wheeler, Interpretive Trainer, Keynote Presenter, Writing Mentor, Sense of Place Consulting, Colrain, MA
Erica Wheeler is a visitor experience specialist, interpretive trainer, keynote speaker, and founder of Sense of Place Consulting. She has provided her sense of place training extensively for the U.S. National Park Service and historic, cultural, and museum sites, as well as a recent presentation for Interpret Europe.
Timing: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Fort Henry National Historic site
Cost: $250+GST per person (pre-registration required)
Please note that this workshop requires a minimum of 5 participants. If numbers are lower than this, the workshop may be cancelled and full refunds provided.
Interpretation often begins with facts, chronology, and resource knowledge—but meaningful visitor experiences emerge through something more: atmosphere, sensory awareness, layered stories, perspective, memory, and lived connection to place.
Using Historic Fort Henry as an immersive case study, this full-day training introduces a sense-of-place lens as a practical framework for expanding interpretive possibilities across natural, cultural, and historic sites.
Participants will first learn the core concepts of the sense-of-place lens and explore how interpretation can move beyond information delivery toward experiences that invite reflection, relevance, curiosity, and meaningful connection.
Participants will then work collaboratively in the field to brainstorm and design inclusive techniques for interpreting layers of time, story, perspective, and sense-of-place connections that resonate with diverse visitors and learning styles. Particular attention will be given to uncovering overlooked interpretive opportunities, and shaping layered narratives into concise, cohesive visitor experiences.
The training concludes with guided discussion focused on how participants can adapt the tools, exercises, and approaches explored during the session to interpretation at their own sites.
Participants will
- identify layered interpretive opportunities within a landscape;
- explore ways different visitors connect to place; and
- experience practical tools for creating concise, meaningful, and inclusive visitor experiences adaptable to their own sites.
Audience: Natural heritage interpreters, cultural heritage interpreters, museum interpreters, recreation leaders, new interpreters, managers, trainers, interp veterans, tourism industry guides, interpretive planners or designers
Cancellation Policy
Notice of Cancellation must be received via email to info@interpretationcanada.ca. For pre-conference workshop, full refunds are available until August 31, less a $50 administration fee per registrant. After this date, no refund will be given.
Registrations may be transferred to another person until August 31, as long as membership status and fee matches. As our fees for venues, catering or other bookings are fixed, once a registration becomes non-refundable, there will be no refund given for any reason. In extenuating circumstances, IC may consider a credit to IC members for future IC events. Reach out to us should this situation arise.
Non-attendance at the workshop is also not eligible for a refund, partial refund or credit for future events.
Please allow 3 weeks for the processing of refunds. Note that refunds can only be provided by e-transfer.
Questions
If you have questions about the workshop content, please contact Erica at erica@ericawheeler.com. If you have questions relating to the venue, registration, or the conference in general, please contact info@interpretationcanada.ca.
