This document discusses the interpretation of two heritage sites - Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, NY and West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide, Australia. It describes the history and interpretive approaches at each site, which aim to reflect the identity and stories of the local communities. Challenges include balancing perspectives, negotiating sensitive histories, and relating sites to broader social and political contexts. Interpretation is seen as a way to both share a place's role in national stories and shape perceptions of community.

1. Big Stories in Small Places
Reflecting community identity
through the interpretation of
heritage sites

2. A tale of two cities . . .
• Rome, NY, USA
▫ Fort Stanwix National Monument
• Adelaide Australia
Adelaide,
▫ West Terrace Cemetery

3. Fort Stanwix National Monument

4. All roads lead to . . .

5. All roads lead to . . .

6. All roads lead to . . .

7. The Oneida Carry (
y (Deowainsta)
)

8. Strategic Position of the Carry
g y

9. Site History
y
• 1758 - 1774 Fort built & occupied by the British
• 1776 American f
6A i forces occupy “Fort S h l ”
“F Schuyler”
• 1777 21-day siege of the Fort
▫ Battle of Oriskany
▫ Victory at Saratoga
• 1781 Fort destroyed
• 1784 Treaty of Fort Stanwix
• 1830 City of Rome grows over site

10. Rebuilding Fort Stanwix
g
• 1970-1973 archaeological excavations

11. Fort Stanwix as Heritage Destination
• 1977 opened as NPS site
• 2005 Willett Center opened (NAI Award 2006)

12. Fort Stanwix now . . .

15. Willett Center
• Archaeological collection
(400,000+ it
( items)
)
• Interpretive context for
site:
i
• Where does Fort
Stanwix fi i
S i fit into the
h
American Story?

16. Interpretive approach
p pp
• Chronological, taking multiple viewpoints:
▫ “Catherine” – Palatine German Colonial Woman
Catherine
▫ “Wali” – Oneida Bear Clan Mother
▫ “Douglas” – Scottish trader and Indian Agent
g g
▫ “Henrick” – young Dutchman who joins Patriot Army
• Nuanced perspective with no “good guys” or
“bad
“b d guys”
”

17. Exhibition Overview
AV1– 1784 Views to Fort
Intro
AV2– AV3–
Taking Siege /
Sides Oriskany

19. Interpretive Challenges
p g
• Negotiating balance between voices
• Quality and availability of historical and
archaeological resources
h l i l
• ‘Scripting’ the experience

20. Reflecting the community
g y
• Placing Rome as the site of an important
national story
•T
Tourism as an economic regenerator
i i t
• The Oneida as “America’s First Allies”

21. West Terrace Cemetery

22. Brief Site History
y
• 1837 Light’s Plan, first documented burials 1840
• 1843 First denominational divisions
• 1903 Australia’s first purpose-built crematorium
• 1920 Australia s first dedicated AIF cemetery
Australia’s
• 1970s cemetery’s future in doubt
• 2008 Interpretation Plan
• 2011 Heritage Highlights Trail (SA Tourism Award)

23. Then and Now
Site sketches from “The
End of the Road” by Nicol

25. Interpretive Approach
p pp
• Cemeteries as a window into broader society:
▫ Universal themes associated with death, faith, family and community
• A reflection of SA’s history and culture
▫ Ideals of a free settlement
▫ Religion, politics and personalities
• R l t to other sites and stories
Relate t th it d t i
▫ William Baker Ashton & Adelaide Gaol
▫ Caroline Emily Clark memorial & Migration Museum (Destitute Asylum)
▫ George William Francis & Adelaide Botanic Gardens

26. Multilayered Interpretation
y p
• Range of topics to frame the cemetery visit
▫ Eminent South Australians
▫ Trailblazing Women
▫ Beliefs, Attitudes and Customs
▫ Insights into the Everyday
▫ Cemetery Developments (Natural Heritage)

27. Heritage Highlights Trail
g g g
• Self-guided 2 km loop
• 29 sign points, ~40 plots
• Powerbrokers, political
agitators, veterans, artists,
scientists, clergy, citizens,
entrepreneurs. . .

28. Site Signage
Si Si

29. Complex Stories: Telegraph Memorial
• Politics of exploration and exploitation
of inner Australia
• Communications revolution of the time
• Link to other characters:
▫ William Auld the explorer
▫ Henry Ayers the funder
▫ Afghan cameleers
• Monumental symbolism
• Stories of the men memorialised
• Inescapable reminder of past attitudes

30. Complex Stories: Telegraph Memorial
• Politics of exploration and exploitation
of inner Australia
• Communications revolution of the time
• Link to other characters:
▫ William Auld the explorer
▫ Henry Ayers the funder
▫ Afghan cameleers
• Monumental symbolism
• Stories of the men memorialised
• Inescapable reminder of past attitudes

31. Interpretive Challenges: p
p g practical
• Operating cemetery
• Balance between visibility and impact
• Trail length and complexity
• Sensitive negotiations with stakeholders

32. Interpretive Challenges: conceptual
p g p
• Overlapping and sometimes competing stories:
▫ Ph i l developments
Physical d l t
▫ Social/political developments
▫ Individual characters
• Interpreting features that are ‘of their time’
▫ Past prejudices
p j
▫ Cultural codes
• Abstract ideas vs. Concrete features
• Site history vs. Site mythology

33. Reflecting the community
g y
• Distinct founding ideals of South Australia
• Denominational diversity – “City of Churches”
•T
Tension between conservatism and
i b t ti d
progressiveness
• Patterns of immigration

34. Some closing musings
g g
• Interpretation is a way of presenting ourselves
• Are we taking people beyond the “front room”?
• H it
Heritage sites as creators and reflectors of
it t d fl t f
community identity
• Balance between a voice of authority and
challenging of orthodoxy
h ll i f th d