Finding aid for the Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership Records

Ward Eldredge, Anna Uremovich, Tammy Fishman, Alyson Mazzone, Bekah Piche, Allison Metzler
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700
Phone: (559) 565-3133
Fax: (559) 565-3133
Email: Ward_Eldrege@nps.gov
URL: http://www.nps.gov/seki
© 2011
National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP. All rights reserved.

Finding aid for the Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership Records

Collection number: SEKI 22366

Museum and Archives

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Three Rivers, California
Processed by:
Ward Eldredge, Anna Uremovich, Tammy Fishman, Alyson Mazzone, Bekah Piche, Allison Metzler
Date Completed:
August 2011
Encoded by:
Tammy Fishman
© 2011 National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership records
Dates: 1891-2007
Bulk Dates: 1953-2007
Collection number: SEKI 22366
Collector: Sequoia National Park (Calif.). Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership
Collection Size: 49000 ea.
Repository: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Museum and Archives
Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700
Physical location: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks. Ash Mountain Headquarters, Archive.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English
Abstract: Records generated within the organizational divisions of Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park concerning Park management, planning and development.

Access

Collection is open for research by appointment.

Publication Rights

Many collections are former federal government records and are in the public domain. Other collections are from private sources; copyright has been transferred to the NPS on most. Some collections have publication restrictions. Researchers are required to properly credit all materials used. The researcher assumes responsibility for acquiring copyright permissions when needed.

Preferred Citation

Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership records, SEKI 22366. Courtesy of the National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

Biography / Administrative History

The Parks' Division of Interpretation dates back to initial efforts in the early 1920s which were formalized by the founding of the Education Division and the Ranger-Naturalist service in 1929. The Division grew steadily through the 20th century and went through a gradual expansion of duties and responsibilities, remaining the primary point of contact between the Park and the public. By the 1980s, the Division numbered nearly forty permanent and seasonal employees staffing four visitor centers spread across the two parks: Foothills and Mineral King, Lodgepole, Grant Grove, and Cedar Grove. By the early 1990s, the Division was responsible for issuing press releases through which the Parks documented and communicated all aspects of the organizations history. The Division opened the Giant Forest Museum in the old market building in 2001.
During the early 1990s, the public-information function moved from the management assistant's office to this division. This resulted in an increase in time spent with the media, publishers, communities, and other entities to communicate all aspects of the Park via press releases and other modes of communication. The division was also responsible for creating and presenting a range of audiovisual programs. It became the repository for a rich and wide-ranging collection of historic and photographic material, especially slides. For much of the period beginning in the late 1970s, William Tweed was a central personality for the Division, first as an interpreter and supervisor at Lodgepole Visitor Center and later as Chief Park Interpreter, until his retirement in 2006.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of correspondence, press releases, work logs, reference materials, photographs, photographic slides, motion picture films, and magnetic audiotapes. Important topics include the restoration of Giant Forest, visitor complaints and commendations, public programming (including the interpretation of prescribed fire for park visitors), and visual material documenting the Parks' landscape and all aspects of park management activities.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into six series: Series I Correspondence; Series II Public Affairs Records; Series III Bill Tweed Records; Series IV Reference Files; Series V Reference Photographs; and Series VI Public Programming AV Materials.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Sequoia National Park (Calif.). Division of Interpretation, Education and Partnership.
Giant Forest--Restoration--Sequoia National Park (Calif.)
Rangers--Sequoia National Park (Calif.)
Nature conservation--Education.
Education--Sequoia National Park (Calif.)
Visitor's centers--Educational aspects.
Invasive species--Education.
Prescribed burning-Education.
Tweed, William.


 

Series 1.  Correspondence 1955-2000 1960-1979

Series Scope and Content Summary

The series consists of correspondence, visitor questionnaires, notes and plans relating to the role of interpretation in Park projects. Topics of interest include public commentary on park interpretive programs and other projects, employee commendations, and employee lists.

Arrangement

The series is organized into four subseries: Subseries A Commendations; Subseries B Complaints; Subseries C Seasonal Staff Lists; and Subseries D Plans and Comments
 

Subseries A. Commendations 1997-2000 1997

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of five folders of correspondence with members of the public favorable to Park employees, programs, and features.

Arrangement

Chronological.
 

Subseries B. Complaints 1997-2000

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of correspondence with members of the public concerning complaints about Park programs, employees, and projects.

Arrangement

Chronological.
 

Subseries C. Seasonal staff lists 1958-1985 1961-1979

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of correspondence with seasonal employees concerning work at various park visitor centers. Also included are lists of employees with dates of employment.

Arrangement

Chronological.
 

Subseries D. Plans and comments 1955-1986 1960-1966; 1976

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of correspondence and plans relating to various Park projects. Topics include museum activities and exhibit development. Also included is approximately one hundred responses to the proposed development for Cedar Grove.

Arrangement

Chronological.
Folder 037-059

Series 2.  Public Affairs records 1988-2007 1997-2005

Series Scope and Content Summary

In the late 1980s, responsibility for drafting press releases was part of the role of the Management Assistant in the Office of the Superintendent. In the early 1990s, the responsibility began to be shared by Malinee Crapsey, the supervisory interpreter for the Foothills and Mineral King subdistrict. In 1993, Crapsey moved into the new position of Public Affairs Specialist. This position consolidated the core public relations responsibilities of drafting press releases, overseeing park publications, and exhibit design within the Division of Interpretation. In 1998, Crapsey moved into the position of Interpretive Specialist and retained responsibilities for exhibits and publications. Her vacated position, that retained responsibility for issuing press releases, was renamed Public Information Officer and filled by Kris Fister.
The series includes press releases, photographs, and articles meant for wide distribution to disseminate information about the Parks. Topics include special events and activities, opening and closing dates for Park facilities, and safety issues. Also included are copies of articles written for the Visalia Times-Delta by the Parks' chief interpreter. Subjects include: people and places of historical interest, the restoration of Giant Forest, and impacts to the Parks' resources.

Arrangement

The series is organized in two groups, press releases and articles; both groups are arranged chronologically.
Folder 060-106

Series 3.  Bill Tweed records 1976-2006 1976-1981; 1987-1999

Collector: Tweed, William.

Series Scope and Content Summary

William "Bill" Tweed worked for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from 1976 through 2006. He began as a seasonal interpreter at Lodgepole Visitor Center, working his way up to District Naturalist. After a short period working for the Forest Service in Washington, D.C., Tweed returned to the Parks in the 1980s, as the Management Assistant to the superintendent (a position that in 1995 became the Chief of the Division of Planning and Concessions Management). In 1997, he became the Division Chief for the Division of Interpretation, a position he occupied until his retirement in 2006. Tweed earned a Ph.D. from Texas Christian University with a dissertation on the history of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and is the author of numerous articles and books. Through the years, he served the Parks in a variety of capacities: as acting superintendent, as an articulate spokesperson, and as the Parks' de facto historian.
The series consists of correspondence, work logs, photographs, and slides relating to the landscape of the Parks and its management. Topics include correspondence with members of the public concerning the Parks and Park programs, journals detailing daily work and management issues, and photographs.

Arrangement

The series is organized into three subseries: Subseries A Correspondence; Subseries B Work Logs; and Subseries C Photographs.
 

Subseries A. Correspondence 1976-1996 1976; 1980; 1987-1996

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of correspondence with the public written by William Tweed through the course of his career. Topics include the management of historic structures and listings to the National Register, matters of Park history, comments by visitors regarding interpretive programs, land issues, the cabins in Mineral King, and accidents.

Arrangement

Chronological.
 

Subseries B. Work logs 1990-2006 1990-1999

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries is arranged sequentially by job title, the work logs describe William Tweed's work as Management Assistant, Chief of Concessions and Planning, Chief of Interpretation, and as Acting Superintendent. The work logs provide a thorough account of his daily work and his engagement with Park management. Many of the logs include personal perspectives on happenings within the Parks.

Arrangement

Chronological.
 

Subseries C. Photographs 1981-2000

Subseries Scope and Content Summary

The subseries consists of photographic prints and slides of interpretive activities within the Parks and of Park landscapes.

Arrangement

Original order.
Folder 107-161

Series 4.  Reference files 1921-1995 1983-1990

Series Scope and Content Summary

The series consists of reports, proposals, budgets and research studies relating to the preservation of the natural resources of the Parks. Topics include air quality, fire management and prescribed fire, the impacts of climate change, vegetation, and archeology. Of note are papers on the history of interpretation in the parks, a typescript of the play “Ersa of the Red Trees,” and a copy of National Register listings.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by subject.
Folder 162-490

Series 5.  Reference photographs 1849-1994 1960-1975

Series Scope and Content Summary

The series consists of black-and-white photographs. Important images include those depicting events and people from the early history of the Parks, military officers who served as acting superintendent, logging history, dedications and ceremonies, maintenance and construction of park infrastructure, and historic structures.

Arrangement

The series is organized into five subseries: Subseries A Plants and Animals; Subseries B Events and Activities; Subseries C Geographic Features; Subseries D People; and Subseries E Oversized.
 

Subseries A.  Plants and animals

Arrangement

Alphabetical.
 

Subseries B. Events and activities

Arrangement

Alphabetical.
 

Subseries C.  Geographic features

Arrangement

Alphabetical.
 

Subseries D. People

Arrangement

Alphabetical.
Box 491-527

Series 6.  Public programming AV materials 1940-2005 1980-2000

Series Scope and Content Summary

The audiovisual material consists predominantly of slides, but also includes audiotapes of Park programs and incidental music and motion picture films on Park and conservation themes. The slides present the most complete visual record of the Parks and the status of Park resources. In addition to the Parks' landscape, images also depict changes in Park infrastructure, patterns of visitation, and resource impacts.

Arrangement

The series is arranged by media. The slides have been kept in original order. The majority are arranged into three groups, corresponding to the Visitor Center where they were created, stored, and used. These groups are each further arranged by a unique, district-specific subject coding system.