Interpretation

Our Interpretive Mission

Our mission addresses the critical need for culturally accurate and Tribal Citizen-led interpretation in historic sites, museums, and interpretive centers throughout the Ohio River Valley.

For too long, these institutions have relied on non-Tribal individuals to provide educational programming, often perpetuating harmful stereotypes and inaccurate interpretations. Through the Historical Interpretation program, we seek to bring Tribal Citizens from Tribes with historical ties to the Ohio River Valley, including the Shawnee, Wyandotte, Miami, Delaware (Lenape), Kickapoo, Pottawatomie, and others, to provide training in historical interpretation and educational programming. By doing so, we aim to provide historic sites and interpretive centers across the Ohio River Valley with the opportunity to offer authentic programming directly from Tribal citizens, thereby promoting a more inclusive and accurate representation of the history of the Ohio Country.

Interpretive FAQ

What is Interpretation?

The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) defines interpretation as "a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource."

Interpreters include those who interpret natural and cultural resources for visitors at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, commercial tour companies, and theme parks.

Is Historical Interpretation reenacting?

Reenacting can be Interpretation, but not always. Interpretation is a planned and structured program that lays out educational goals for an audience and provides a clear roadmap of how the program will be performed. Interpretation is often modern, but Living History is one of the most popular types of Interpretation.

How does Caesar's Ford Theatre Inc. use Historical Interpretation?

We use this dynamic and immersive style of education to help us meet our goals of educating the public about Ohio's rich history!

What Historical periods does Caesar's Ford Theatre Inc. interpret?

At the moment, we focus on the time period between the French and Indian War and Ohio Statehood, but our interpreters have a wide range of interpretations that range from Hopewell, at contact, through the 18th century.