Historic Kelso Depot at Mojave National Preserve, California. Harpers Ferry Center and the staff of Mojave National Preserve recently completed a Long-Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) that will guide development relating to interpretation, education, and visitor experiences for the next 5-10 years. Learn more about Long Range Interpretive Plans »

QUICK LINKS:

Directions to Harpers Ferry Center »

Jobs at Harpers Ferry Center »

NPS Servicewide IDIQ Contracts »

Official NPS Sales Publications »

MORE ABOUT HFC:

HFC Interpretive Media Institute »

History of Harpers Ferry Center »

Vision, Mission, Values & Goals »

HFC Website Team »

PDF DOCUMENTS:

Accessibility Guidelines for Interpretive Media »

HFC 2003 Annual Report »

NPS Style Guide »

Standards for Using Digital Photos »

Help With PDF »

Top foreground: Yellowstone National Park Handbook.

Background:
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park.

Media Development Process »

Learn more about the general phases of development for museum exhibits, wayside exhibits, av programs, historic furnishings, and publications. (Three versions: Flash - PDF - Text)

Visitor Use & Evaluation of Interpretive Media »

This report – commissioned by HFC and prepared by the Social Science Program and Visitor Services Project (VSP) – analyzes data from 23 VSP studies, looking at visitor use of various types of media and the importance and quality of media used. (3 MB - PDF)

Interpretive Media Selection »

Selecting the right media is as much art as science. Learn how you can determine which type of media best suits your situation.

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, the U.S. National Park Service is known for the skill with which it interprets America's natural and cultural heritage. Generations of visitors have long enjoyed the ability and dedication with which NPS interpreters share their understanding and love of our national parks.

Since 1970, Harpers Ferry Center has created a variety of interpretive tools to assist NPS field interpreters. These tools include audiovisual programs, historic furnishings, museum exhibits, publications, and wayside exhibits. HFC also provides a variety of services including graphics research, interpretive planning, media contracting, object conservation, revision and reprinting of publications, and replacement of wayside exhibits.

Increasingly, field interpreters are encouraged to become more involved in the selection, development, and acquisition of media tools. With funding becoming more limited, it is important that appropriate media and suitable production sources be selected.

Contact Harpers Ferry Center for media assistance or to start a media project. Call 304-535-5050 or use our Contact Form »

Harpers Ferry Center can provide:

• Assistance with media development strategies;
• Help with media cost estimates;
• Answers to technical media questions;
• Assistance with the planning, design, development, and production of media products.
• Planning for interpretation, education, and visitor experiences – including GMPs, LRIPs, and pre-design charettes.