to the Interpretation of Old Mills (part 2)
Interpretation for Old Mills: Effective Interpretive Programs
to make the "same old grind" come alive again, by Theodore R.
The Rice Grist Mill a Grist Mill in Norris Dam State Park, Norris, Tennessee.
This 1937 photo shows the miller standing at the basement door of the mill
holding a sack of flour. The water cascades over the stopped wheel in a
stunning effect. It is a good means of stopping the mill in between grinding
demonstrations. This is a good way for the visitors to see the power of
the water, but does it have any other interpretive value? Does it actually
do more harm to the mill and its machinery?
He was the first and only Park Ranger in the National Capital Region
for many years. On Sunday afternoons at a certain time he would be available
at Peirce Mill to give educational talks. The word "education"
was used in place of the word "interpretation" in the NPS for
many years until the terminology changed. Donald McHenry presented the first
campfire program east of the Mississippi River in Picnic Grove #1, across
the road from Peirce Mill in 1937. Educational programs first began in the
large western parks where Mr. McHenry was first stationed. I was present
at the 50th anniversary first person recreation of that program presented
by his son D. Bruce McHenry in 1987.
Donald Patrick McHenry began the first canal boat rides along the C &
O Canal in Georgetown. One day he went down to the Navy Yard in Washington,
and took advantage of his NPS military style uniform, and ordered that naval
barge be moved to the C & O Canal. Once there he then made it look like
a canal boat. He presented a program in Georgetown which was attended by
so many people, he had to climb a light pole to present his program. Ranger
McHenry also presented regular programs at Carter Baron in Rock Creek Park.
Chairs were trucked in from downtown federal buildings to accommodate the
crowds of people who would regulary attend. This was during the depression
and people could not aford to go outside of Washington, D.C., and this was
free form of entertainment. His son young D. Bruce McHenry, traveled with
his father to witnessed many of his father's interpretive programs first
for Old Mills (part 1)
the Interpretation of Old Mills (part 2)
to the Interpretation of Old Mills (part 3)
One: Footnotes and Selected Readings on Living History Interpretation
Two: Selected Readings on Living History Interpretation (part 5)
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Copyright 2001 by T. R. Hazen