On July 16, AHF met with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry, WV where NPS manages interpretative projects for all 400+ parks. The Harpers Ferry Center (HFC) staff create exhibits, brochures, maps and other interpretive and educational resources.
While the HFC staff were enthusiastic about digital products such as apps for visitors to park sites, they advocated “low tech” approaches to exhibits to avoid electronic breakdowns. Sometimes a flip book of photographs and stories can be as compelling as complicated interactive exhibits. In cartography, colorful 3-D depictions of a site may complement more conventional maps.
Overall, partners are becoming more involved in providing both input and funding for NPS interpretive products. The Harpers Ferry Center staff is looking forward to working on the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and collaborating with many partners over the years ahead.