interpretation plan

Chapter 8 - Interpretive Plan 8-1

8Interpretation PlanIntroductionThis section of the corridor management plan provides guidanceand direction for interpretive activities along the 287-mile longByway. An important aspect of this byway’s interpretive strategy isto mesh resource management, product development andmarketing within the interpretive effort. Each aspect of thebyway’s efforts in each of these four categories should augmentand support the other byway development categories.

Status of Interpretation along the BywayThere are existing interpretive strategies along the byway that aredistinctive and unique that should be noted. These communitiesand/or sites have initiated personal services interpretation, offerservices that provide unique access to resources, or offerdistinctive products or services. These are just a few examples ofinterpretive initiatives that should be used as models forconsidering other distinctive interpretive strategies.

Browns Valley to Ortonville

• The Eahtonka II, Judy Drewicke. Charter cruises, publicexcursions, step-on guide services

• Stony Run Trade Co., Don “Baboo” Felton. Paddle maker andhistorian, lectures, displays, demonstrations and voyagergoods.

• Independently Speaking, Brent Olson. Author, historian andstoryteller.

• Big Stone Lake State Park interpretive programs

• Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. Summer herd of bisons to

What Is Interpretation?There are many definitions forinterpretation. Credited as beingthe “Father of Interpre-tation”,Freeman Tilden stated in his book,Interpreting Our Heritage, that

“Interpretation is an educationalactivity which aims to revealmeanings and relationships throughthe use of original objects, byfirsthand experience, and byillustrative media, rather than simplyto communicate factual information.”

Freeman Tilden, Interpreting OurHeritage, 1962.

Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan8-2

graze on refuge. Tours available during special events.

• Big Stone County Museum. Tour guide available.

Ortonville to Montevideo

• Milan Folk Arts Center

• Java River Coffee Shop. Use of locally produced farm-productson menu, kayaks for rent.

• Lac qui Parle County History Center.

• Lac qui Parle State Park, Refuge and interpretive center

• Lac qui Parle Hunting Camp. Professionally guided waterfowlhunts.

Montevideo to Granite Falls

• Swensson Farm Museum. Living history farmstead built in1901.

Granite Falls to Mankato

• Upper Sioux Agency State Park interpretive exhibits

• Lower Sioux Agency State Historic Site and Interpretive Center

• Fort Ridgley State Park

• Gilfillan Estate

• Minnesota Machinery Museum

• Birch Coulee State Historic Site

• Schell Museum of Brewery. Special tours for groups of 20 ormore.

Mankato to Belle Plaine

• W. W. Mayo House, Le Sueur. Guided tours available.

• Flandeau State Park

• Minneopa State Park

• Traverse des Sioux State Historic Site and Center

• Cox House, St. Peter

Travel Information Center Project and Kiosk FundingThe Alliance will continue to seek funding from the LCMR andother sources for the following interpretive infrastructuredevelopment:

• Kiosk and Entrance Signage Planning for up to 15 sites

• Kiosk Design

• Secure Kiosk Locations

• Project Construction and Installation


Interpretive Issues and Challenges

Interpretation should appeal to a variety of audiencesegments.By targeting new interpretive services and opportunities to theneeds, expectations and interests of specific definable segments ofByway visitors, greater impact can be created. Audiences that needto be considered include:

• Mixed family groups-passing through on vacation toanother destination

• Mixed family groups coming to visit friends and relatives

• Individuals and/or non-related groups traveling toparticipate in outdoor recreational activities (hunting, fishing,camping)

• Adults - both male and female

• People traveling with children

• Students visiting historic learning centers

• Locals traveling to learn more about local heritage

• Byway travelers

• Locals attending special events, festivals and activities

Interpretation can also be designed to address special interestsegments. Market segments that would find the Minnesota RiverValley Scenic Byway of interest include history buffs, outdoorsenthusiasts, birders, folk and craft artists, antiquers, seniorcitizens, and byway enthusiasts.

There is a need for experienced-based tourism to complementexisting destinations and to unite the corridorThere must be opportunities for visitors to become activelyinvolved - whether reading a sign or brochure, riding on an oldfarm implement, hand-threshing, listening to storytellers orwatching and listening to traditional native dances and music.Local artists, crafters and residents should create souvenirs whichwill add to the options for learning about area resources. This willalso enable the visitor to reflect on the experiences each time theysee that item after returning home.

Develop innovative educational resources that supportcurriculum activities of area schools.Opportunities exist for the development of educational activitiesthat tie school curriculum into activities that can take place alongthe Byway. Geology, biology, history, and natural sciences are allexamples of themes that could complement current curriculumgoals in the classroom.

Types of InterpretationInterpretive services can readily besubdivided into two types: personaland non-personal.

Personal interpretive services arethose which involve a person(naturalist, guide, ranger) whodirectly communicates with thevisitors. These personal servicesinclude such things as:• hikes• walks• talks• demonstrations of crafts, skills or

scientific experiments• living history characterizations• theatrical, dance, artistic or

musical performances• staffing a visitor information booth

to answer guest questions; and• guided excursions via train, boat,

horseback or even commercialairlines.

Research has shown personal servicesto be the most effective method ofcommunication because they havethe advantage of two-way dialogbetween interpreter and visitor.

Non-personal interpretive services arethose which involve some type ofmedium, whether written, auditoryor visual to communicate desiredmessages. These media often include:• signs• indoor and outdoor exhibits• movies or videos• written brochures and trail guides• taped messages which may be

visitor-activated along a trail or ina museum or available for a take-along tape recorder

• special radio frequencies for autotravelers.


Sensitive Resources Should Not be Misused.There are areas where it is inappropriate for visitors to go. Many ofthe historical sites along the Byway are located on private land.Visitors must respect the rights of landowners. Interpretive kiosksshould be located strategically along the road right-of-ways toenable visitors to view those sites which are visible and to visuallylocate those sites which are not. As with any site containinghistoric relics and artifacts, it is imperative that visitors not bepermitted to remove any items from these sites. This Bywaycontains several sensitive cultural areas such as religious orceremonially sacred sites, including the Native American burialmounds found throughout the area. There are also many Scientificand Natural Areas along the byway that merit special care byvisitors. Also, the subject of the clashes between soldiers,EuroAmerican settlers and Native Americans is an extremelysensitive subject and must be treated in a manner which presentshistorical information with both accuracy and sensitivity.

Interpretive PrinciplesMany of the historic, cultural and natural resources along theByway have disappeared. Prairies, wetlands, wildlife, historicbuildings, pioneer trails and roadways, and evidence of bothNative American and early European settlements have beenreplaced or removed as the area was cleared and permanentlysettled. Through interpretation, however, this history can berecreated and enjoyed.

This interpretive program should accomplish the following:

• Encourage partnerships along the Byway,

• Help identify the important themes and best locations forinterpreting them,

• Identify optional types of media to be utilized,

• Integrate the existing resources available, such as availableland and locations in which to install the interpretive media,

• Discourage any degradation to the scenic views or character ofinterpretive sites

• Ensure ADA Compliance in All Projects. The Americans withDisabilities Act will be complied with on all projects. Everysite design shall recognize and accommodate the needs ofdisabled visitors, to interpret the sites and history of theMinnesota River Valley for the disabled, and to follow allapplicable ADA policies.


Interpretive ObjectivesImplementation of this plan will enable the Alliance and partnersto accomplish a number of objectives:

• understand and implement effective methods for visitormanagement, both attracting more visitors and movingthem away from overused or fragile resources or those onprivate lands;

• develop themes and strategies which will help market theentire Byway and highlight specific designated sites alongthe Byway;

• incorporate effective techniques for planning, managing andevaluating interpretive services;

• enhance community and Byway involvement by stimulatingcosponsored activities, materials or other cooperativepartnerships;

• increase visitor and community awareness, interest, knowledgeand stewardship of natural, cultural and historic resourcesbeing featured;

• increase visitor involvement during targeted seasons;

• provide opportunities for firsthand experiences with natural,cultural and historic resources;

• generate awareness, support and funding for resourceprotection and preservation efforts;

• generate significant positive economic and tourism impacts;

• generate options for active visitor involvement by providingexperiences which will create memorable impacts - whetherreading a sign or brochure, sitting on a thresher or tractor, orlistening to pioneer stories or songs.


Interpretive Techniques forthe Scenic Byway

The interpretive media discussed inthis strategy include the following:• Small Interpretive Kiosks• Optional: Small Interpretive

Kiosk modified for 24 HourVisitor Info Center

• Wayside Signage Exhibits• Printed guides/ brochures• Low frequency radio transmission

system• Activity Booklet• Audio Tape Tours• Self-Guided Trail• Step-On Guide Service in each

Community• Byway Passport Program

Small Interpretive KiosksThis plan outlines numerous sitesfor interpretive kiosks. Each of thesesites will have four panels, 2 large(42” x 30”) and 2 small (42”x 16”)interpretive panels. Each smallkiosk will have an orientation paneland at least one activity-orientedpanel that will encourage visitors totake part in some activity along theByway. Each panel providesdetailed interpretive information onsite specific subjects and any uniquelocal history.

The kiosks should conform to thefollowing guidelines:• Each text block section should

contain less than 50 words.• The main interpretive concept is

communicated in 15 seconds.• Provocative headlines and

graphics are used to drawattention to the interpretivemessage.

• All written labels should bewritten at a 5th grade vocabularylevel.

• Byway logo should be included.

Interpretive ThemesThe story of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway will bedivided into three parallel themes: Struggles for a Home, Food for aNation and The River’s Legacy. These themes will create theinterpretive thread to tie the stories of the corridor together toprovide the visitor with a bigger picture of the Minnesota RiverValley’s heritage.

Following are the three major theme statements for the MinnesotaRiver Valley Scenic Byway:

Historical: Struggles for a HomeThe Minnesota River Valley has a national story to tell about theEuropean settlement of the West as it relates to both the nativepeople and the immigrants seeking to either keep or win a place onthis land, a home. Within the Valley, the stories of NativeAmerican life, treaties and resistance mesh with the stories ofEuropean immigrant struggles, their wars on the Indians, theconcept of Manifest Density and the creation of one of the mostproductive agricultural cultures in the world. This story isparticularly compelling due to the degree to which the Indian-European tensions resulted in national legislation that acceleratedthe European domination of the West. The struggle for survivaloften meant that there were winners and their were losers, and thiswent beyond the human drama. Virgin timber, native tallgrassprairies, wetlands, and wildlife all fought to survive as manencroached on this unsettled part of America. This, too, can beseen as part of the overall story that is waiting to be told along theMinnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

Cultural: Food for a NationThe Minnesota River Valley has a regional, national andinternational story to tell of the growth and development of theAmerican system of agriculture: Food for a Nation and to theWorld. This story is evident through a number of key charactersand topics: the prairie soils, the opening of the prairie to farming,the Homestead Act, the crops chosen, the development ofagricultural and other cooperatives, the food processing companiesand systems (including Green Giant), and evolving production andland stewardship systems. The Valley was shaped by thetransportation systems created to bring these crops to market,starting first with the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, expandingto railroads and the Great Lakes, and creating the worldwidesystem of food manufacturing and distribution that remains to thisday.


Natural: The River’s Legacy.The Minnesota River provides the background and context for theMinnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. The byway is about theuniqueness of the Minnesota River ecosystem. There would be noMinnesota River byway without the Minnesota River; the future ofthe byway is interwoven with the future of the river. TheMinnesota River watershed is a huge area covering almost 10million acres, involving 37 counties, and dominating thesouthwest quarter of the state. Long an abused natural resource,the Minnesota River is now emerging as an integral part of theregion and a critical element of its economic sustainability. Nativepeople and then settlers came to the valley, drawn by vastresources found within it. But human interaction with theMinnesota River has often not been positive. The seas of prairieand wetlands throughout the valley that sustained thrivingpopulations of birds and bison and contributed to the health of theriver were plowed and drained to expose the rich underlying soilsthat characterize the area. These practices compiled withestablishment of towns and cities almost destroyed the river. Nowpeople are trying to save the river. Now the legacy is beingrestored.

But the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway is also tied to theriver’s past. The byway brings the traveler together with intenselybeautiful scenic views, interesting and varied topography, historicalbackground, unique cultural experiences and diverse recreationalopportunities. The Minnesota River is now most often gentle andcalm. Once, however, the river valley was filled by the GlacialRiver Warren. The glacial river carved the valley down intoancient rock. Today there are outcrops of this bedrock, among theoldest rock formations in the world, throughout the valley. Thevalley varies from one to five miles in width and from 75 to 200feet deep. The scenic byway flows along with the river throughsteep bluffs and low flood plain areas that characterize one of themost impressive landscapes in Minnesota. Wood slopes and floodplains of willow, cottonwood, elm and ash rise into upland bluffsof red cedar and remnants of prairie grasses. Many areas appearvirtually unchanged from how they would have looked duringpresettlement times.

The Minnesota River Valley is located in a unique transition zonewhere east meets west in the middle of continent. This east-westfactor makes the Minnesota River basin an important habitat area.Wildlife and birds abound in the riparian system. The river floodplain acts as an extension of the Eastern forest and adjoininggrasslands and marshes provide habitat for many bird species.The Minnesota Audubon Society is currently establishing a BirdingTrail along the Minnesota River featuring primary birding

The written text should conform tothe following guidelines:

• All sentences are short, simplesentences.

• Unfamiliar and technical terms areavoided unless explained.

• Active verbs are used in writingtext.

• Text includes descriptions ofexperiences visitors can haveon the site.

• Colorful language and images areused to stimulate interest andvisitor involvement.

Optional panels and 24 Hour VisitorInfo CentersCommunities that do not have aformal visitor information center,or wish to have information availableto visitors when their centers,chambers, and cvb’s are closed, maywish to construct a similar kioskdesign, preferably in a visible locationon the Byway in the downtown area.These kiosks can be easily modifiedto include a small roof to shelterbrochure racks that can containinformation on the Byway andsurrounding communities.

Wayside Signage ExhibitsWayside exhibits are recommendedfor sites along the Byway wherespecific interpretation messages areimportant to the story yet there is noneed for visitor orientation.Mounting and framing should be thesame color as that on the kiosks andpanel colors should be complimentaryto the landscape. Wayside exhibitsare often low-profile, to give visitors aview and perspective of the site.Panels should be 36”x24”.


locations. Deer, turkey, pheasants and other game birds andwaterfowl provide ample hunting opportunities. The MinnesotaRiver provides important recreational opportunities for anglersfrom southern Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.Walleye, northern pike, and channel catfish are found as well assauger, and smallmouth bass.

Part of the river from Lac qui Parle dam to Franklin is a designatedMinnesota Wild and Scenic River. Boaters and canoeistsfrequently enjoy excursions on this winding river and there aremany access points on the banks along the entire route. There isalso growing interest in the development of a trail network alongthe entire river corridor with groups already actively working onestablishment of sections of the trail.

The future of the river is linked to the sustainability ofcommunities within its watershed. An awareness of andappreciation for the value of the river for recreation throughhistoric, cultural and scenic opportunities enhances the need for ahealthy river system. A healthy river system supports variedquality recreational experiences, including travel on the MinnesotaRiver Valley Scenic Byway. The Scenic Byway contributes to thefuture of the river by heightening public interest in preservationand improvement to the resource. The future of the byway and thefuture of the river go hand in hand.

The RiverStory Pathway: A Unifying Interpretive VehicleThe three dominant interpretive themes will be delivered tovisitors through a unifying experience called the RiverStory Byway.As introduced in Chapter 7 and detailed in the actionrecommendations that follow, this concept will simplify andintegrate the three themes into one umbrella project extendingbetween each end of the byway.

Together, these elements will provide the content and structure forthe majority of interpretive sites along the Corridor and will be tiedinto ongoing marketing efforts. A detailed inventory of attractionsalong the route has been compiled into a database managed byUMVRDC. This database can be used to identify thematic sites andprovide listings of attractions and visitor services along the route.

Low frequency radio transmissionsystemMessages can be transmitted alongthe Byway to travelers through theirvehicle radios via radiotransmissions. This approach shouldbe utilized along stretches of theByway where there is limitedopportunities for other interpretivemedia and a need to keep the visitorengaged in the Byway’s message.

Activity BookletAn Interpretive Activities Booklet/Self-Guiding Tour Book would be full ofinteresting information and activitiesdesigned for families with children,domestic or international travelers.The Interpretive Activities Bookletwould build upon the existinginterpretive messages and give visitorsmore to think about and do.

Audio Tape ToursAn audio taped tour should bedeveloped for the segment of theByway that has the highest density ofhistoric sites related to the DakotaConflict. These tapes should beavailable at visitor centers, gift shopsand chamber of commerce offices.Tapes can either be sold outright orrented for a nominal fee. This projectshould become the prototype for otherthemed Audio Tape Tours such asorganic farming, life of women on theprairie, geology of the MinnesotaRiver Valley, watchable wildlife(starting with birding).

Self-Guided TrailsWhenever feasible, the creation oftrails or walkways on which visitorstravel along and messages arecommunicated through the use ofbrochures, wayside exhibits or othermedia should be built. This givesvisitors an opportunity to get out oftheir vehicles and experience thelandscape firsthand.


Action SummaryFollowing is a list of suggested interpretive actions for the bywayas a whole. The separate standing document, The RiverStoriesProgram details the site specific investments that should be madealong the byway.

Action 40: Create the RiverStories ProgramRiverStories will be a byway-long effort to tell the stories of theriver -- the three themes noted here, as well as others -- as part ofone umbrella pathway, byway or linear experience. Rather thandividing the byway into separate stories and separate segments,the RiverStories Program will allow for all of these interpretiveefforts to be marketed as part of one product: a journey along theRiver of Stories.

The uniting concept of story will shape all interpretation. Historywill be told from the perspective of individual lives. Theinterpretive kiosks and sites described below will all be themedaround the idea of telling part of the river’s story. Where possible,real people will tell their stories in person, or via audio, video orthe web. When put together, all of these tales will comprise theMinnesota River’s story. For the visitor, their encounter will befun, informative and personal. A creative writing component ofthe program might encourage children following the pathway tocreate their own stories related to the river pathway. A similartrack for adults could feature creative writing, poetry andjournalism to encourage adults to tell their own stories as a part ofwhat they take away from a journey along the byway.

The dominant themes from which the majority of the stories willbe drawn are Struggles for a Home, Taking Food to a Nation andThe River’s Legacy. As appropriate, other more site specific storieswill be woven into the Pathway. In addition, efforts such as theAudubon Society’s Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail, the PrairiePassages and the Minnesota River Comprehensive RecreationGuideance Plan, should be brought into the partnership. The sameholds true for any community or event along the byway.

The Program itself will consist of the promotion of a series of sitesand activities along the river corridor that can be woven into onepathway experience that unites all the stories and unites the rivervalley behind one integrated tourism product. The byway may attimes consist of off-road or in-town experiences that are notdirectly connected to the byway. Alliance partners will take thelead in gaining public support for the projects in their respectivecommunities and helping to create local StoryTeller Teams whofind and support local interpretive efforts.

RiverStories should bethe theme that tiesmuch of theimplementationprogram together.


This approach overcomes a major problem facing the byway: inorder to gain more political and marketing weight, thecommunities of the river valley need to find something in commonaround which to unite. Unfortunately, neither the river nor theByway, in and of themselves, seem to be sufficiently compelling togarner widespread support for a regional tourism initiative. Thisslight shift in focus -- from river and road to a 300 mile long linearstorytelling experience -- may provide the right nucleus for regionalorganizing.

The key to initiating this effort will be obtaining a National ScenicByways Grant or other grants to fund the detailed design andconstruction of the first sites.

Action 41: Develop a Series of Detailed Interpretive Plans forEach of the Byway’s Four Main SegmentsPlease refer to the Segment Implementation Plans that followChapter 10, Implementation for a detailed discussion ofinterpretive recommendations for these segments.

Browns Valley to Ortonville

Ortonville to Granite Falls

Granite Falls to Mankato

Mankato to Belle Plaine

Action 42: Encourage Businesses to Participate inInterpretationThe opportunities to enhance visitor experiences along the Bywaythrough interpretation should not be limited to the specific siteslisted herein. Other businesses should look to interpretation toenhance the visitor experience, encourage them to stay longer andspend more money in the area.

This should include such things as:

Restaurants:

• Redesign menus to reflect theme names for foods.

• Enhance decor along theme lines.

• Develop foods which would use authentic recipes passed downfrom early residents. Make these recipes available through aRiverStories Cookbook.

Bakeries:

• Encourage bakeries to offer pioneer breads and pies. Each itemshould have a tag or flyer explaining the origins of the recipe

The length of the riverrequires a moredetailed plan for eachsegment.

Businesses will findpromotion via thesupport of education.


for the item. Make these recipes available through aRiverStories Cookbook.

Lodging facilities:

• Include interpretive information in rooms.

• Small facilities should name rooms after prominent historicalfigures and provide interpretive information about the lives ofthose individuals on the wall of the room or on a flyer inthe room.

• Lodging on working farms should be encouraged.

Action 43: Local Groups and Entrepreneurs Should ConsiderWays to Support the RiverStories Program

• Reenactments

• Heritage Festival: feature local ethnic celebrations; collect oralhistories, family heirloom interpretation, trail rides, wagonrides, food.

Recommendations for Interpretive Souvenirs

• Booklet featuring Native American traditions, stories or naturalremedies.

• Packets of Make-Your-Own Pioneer Toy kits with interpretationof the history of each item.

• Interpretive place mats with a map of the route with tidbits ofinterpretive information about each site. These could be sold inpackets, either plasticized for sale to visitors or paper. Paperones could be distributed through local restaurants to get morefolks aware of and interested in taking the route..

• Develop interpretive cookbook containing both recipes andinterpretive stories of pioneer women with excerpts fromdiaries.

Encourage businessesto be full partners inthe interpretive effort.

interpretation plan

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