John Veverka & Associates

Interpretive Consultants

For the Cutting edge in Heritage Interpretation

Interpretive Planning, Training, Evaluation and more!

World Wide

2069 Ashland Ave, Okemos, Michigan 48864

(517) 347-2166    FAX (517) 347-2064   jvainterp@aol.com

    From interpretive planning for castles in Wales for the National Trust and bird sanctuaries in Michigan for the Kellogg Biological Station, to interpretive training in Alabama for the US Army Corps of Engineers, and museum exhibit evaluation in Wisconsin - (bottom row) and critiquing ancient temples interpretation on Malta for Malta Heritage, prehistoric archaeological site interpretation in Utah for Nine Mile Canyon/BLM, and docent/interpretive staff training for the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, we do that - and more!

Heritage Interpretation: Interpretive Planning, Training and Consultation Services

Serving Parks, Museums, Historic Sites, Zoos & Botanical Gardens, Heritage Tourism Sites and Facilities, Commercial Tourism Attractions, and related interpretive sites and facilities -

WORLD WIDE  

INDEX

Find out more about our services:

Interp. Services

Interpretive Planning

Heritage Tourism

Scenic Byways

2003 Projects

2004 Projects

2005 Projects

2006 Projects

2007 Projects

Our LIBRARY

Our Training Video

Interpretive Master Planning Text Book

Interpretive Training Services

Interpretive Writing

Evaluation     Services

Professional Qualifications

Our LINKS Page

Home Page

Note: each new page has the same JVA header - scroll down for that pages info.  :)

                  Projects/Clients for 2005

Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio. Interpretive exhibit concept development and exhibit label copy writing for two exhibits for the new interpretive center at Malabar Farm State Park, as part of an Interpretive Exhibit Plan developed by JVA for Malabar Farm.  To find out more about Malabar Farm State Park visit the Malabar Farm Foundation web site at: http://www.malabarfarm.org. November, 2005.

Mathews County, VA.  Interpretive planning site assessments and consultation/interpretive panel development consultation as part of the NPS Gateways Program. October, 2005.

Chickahominy Riverfront Park, VA. Interpretive planning consultation as part of the NPS Gateways Program. October 2005.

Wye Mill interpretive planning and media development consultation services as part of the NPS Gateways Program.  October 2005.

Wye Mill Historic Site.

Annapolis Maritime Museum, MD.  Interpretive exhibit planning consultation services as part of the NPS Gateways Program.  October 2005.

Florida State Parks.   Provide two interpretive workshops, one for new Ranger staff and one for their Park Managers Conference, November 15, 2005 (Orlando, FL).

Waterman's Museum, Yorktown, Virginia.  Develop an interpretive plan for exterior interpretive signage and services.  You can visit this museum as: http://www.watermens.org.   The project will run from October 05 through January 06.

James Mills Scottish Factor Store (Urbanna, VA).   Develop the Interpretive Exhibit Plan for this historic site.  It is one of only two structures remaining in the US exemplifying the colonial trade pattern of exchanging tobacco for items imported from Europe during the 1700's.    The interpretive exhibit plan is being funded by the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program. July, 2005.   You can visit this site at: http://www.baygateways.net/general.cfm?id=5   The bottom graphic is how the store may have looked in the late 1700's, rolling "hogs heads" of tobacco to the waiting ships anchored off shore.

Florida State Parks.  Provide consulting services in the development of state-wide interpretive policies, objectives, and mission focus for the Florida State Parks Interpretive Services Division.   Summer, 2005.

Florida State Parks. Deliver an interpretive training session at the State-Wide Interpretive Training Workshop, Sebastian, FL. August, 2005

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI.  Conduct a docent training course for the Gardens new themed tours for 2005/2006.  The workshop will include a general presentation on interpretive themes, and  skills/techniques sessions with practicum on presenting and leading the new themed tours.   October 2005.  You can visit this client at: http://www.meijergardens.org

City of Marshall, Michigan.  Heritage tourism development consultation for their new Heritage Trail which runs through the City, as well as other heritage develoment priority needs and issues.  June 2005.  You can visit Marshall at: http://www.marshallmi.org.

       Interpretive Workshops in Sweden.  JVA was invited to provide a three day interpretive training course (September 19-21, 2005) on Planning and Conducting Live Interpretive Programs and Tours, and a one day seminar on The Concept of Interpretation - an introduction to the interpretive profession (22  September, 2005) in Hellefors, Sweeden.  The workshops were sponsosred by the National Focal point for Swedish Creative-Experience Industry, the Municipality of Hellefors, and the Hellefors Centrum for Interpretation.  You can visit these sites at: http://www.interpretation.se,  http://www.hellefors.se/upplevelse  and http://www.hellefors.se.  For registration information contact Tomas Carlson, at: tomas.carlsson@hellefors.se.

The Accokeek Foundation National Colonial Farm at Piscatawa National Park, Maryland.  Interpretive site review, interpretive planning training workshop and interpretive planning consultation. June, 2005.  You can visit the Foundations Web site at: http://www.accokeek.org.   The foundation works in partnership with the National Park in the park management and interpretation.

  Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.   Develop the Interpretive Plan for the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network new regional "Welcome Center", located on the museum campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michael's, MD.  November - March, 2005.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways conference, Making Chesapeake Connections, April 4-6th, Solomons, MD.  Provide several interpretation sessions for the conference.  You can find out more about the conference at: http://www.baygateways.net.

  Woburn Safari Park/Woburn Enterprises, Bedfordshire, England.  Provide interpretive planning consultation services for their new (in the planning stages) Woburn Centre for Conservation and Education.  You can visit this site at: http://www.woburnsafari.co.uk. January - May 2005.

  Parks Canada - Western Region.   Conduct a 3-day interpretive training course on Planning and delivery of live interpretive programs and tours.  Hosted by Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site, Saskatoon, Canada. 12-14 April, 2005.  You can learn more about this site at: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/motherwell/index_e.asp

James Mills Scottish Factor Store (Urbanna, VA).   JVA  developed the Interpretive Plan for this historic site.  It is one of only two structures remaining in the US exemplifying the colonial trade pattern of exchanging tobacco for items imported from Europe during the 1700's.  The building is currently undergoing restoration.  The interpretive plan is being funded by the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program. April - June, 2005.   You can visit this site at: http://www.baygateways.net/general.cfm?id=5

Great Bridge Lock Park, Chesapeake, VA.  Provide an interpretive planning workshop/seminar for planning staff.  This project is part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program. April, 2005.

Milford Historical Society, Milford, Michigan.  Provide an Interpretive Planning Focus Workshop for the society focusing on the development of an interpretive plan for the historic Pettibone Creek Hydroelectric Station, April. 2005.  To learn more about the Historical Soceities hydroelectric station restoration project, visit their web site at: http://www.milfordhistory.org/powerhouse_project_update_2004.htm

The historic Pettibone Creek Hydroelectric Station, Milford, MI, built in 1939 by Henry Ford to help power the Ford Rouge Plant.  Interpretive planning will be for exterior interpretation only.

   Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning And Energy, Ljubljana, Slovenia.  JVA was invited back to conduct a 3-day Heritage Interpretation & Tourism Seminar for the Ministry.  In addition, JVA  also  provided Interpretive Planning training and consultation for the National Museum of Natural History and the Association of Museums of Slovenia.  You can visit the museums web sites at: http://www2.pms-lj.si/pmsgb.html.  The Assoc. of Museums of Slovenia web site is: http://www2.pms-lj.si/SMS/index_gb.html.   The workshops and consultations were in September, 2005.

The general interpretation seminar for the Ministry of the Environment (top left) had over 200 attendees. The photo on the top right was from the Interpretive Exhibit Planning/Design Course sponsored by the Association of Museums of Slovenia.

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority/NPS Gateways Program.  Interpretive planning workshop for the Occoquan River Water Trail, MD.  April 2005. (Water trails are similar to self-guiding scenic by-ways, but on the water, with numerous interpretive stops located along the river corridor).

A general view of the Occoquan River (and trail).

Rappahannock River Water Trail, MD. Interpretive planning training workshop sponsored by the NPS Gateways Program.   February, 2005.

Sailwinds Visitor Center, Cambridge, MD/NPS Gateways Program.  Interpretive training course and interpretive consultation services on interpretive planning strategies, facility planning, and interpretive media planning.  February, 2005.

Richardson's Maritime Museum, Cambridge, MA./NPS Gateways Program.  Interpretive planning consultation services.   February, 2005.

Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby Center, Scotland. Provide interpretive planning consultation services for several National Nature Reserves.  May, 2005.

Advantage West-North Carolina/Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.  Provide interpretive training and planning consultation services for the Heritage Area, provided through Advantage West-North Carolina, June, 2005.    You can find out more about the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area at: http://www.cr.nps.gov/heritageareas/AREAS/BLUE.htm.   You can find out more about Advantage West-North Carolina at: http://www.advantagewest.com.

Cashiers Historical Society, Cashiers, North Carolina.  Provide an interpretive training seminar, interpretive planning focus workshop, and site interpretive master planning consultation services. June, 2005.  You can visit this site at: http://www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org.

  Built 150 years ago, the Zachary-Tolbert House is one of the most important historical buildings in Western North Carolina - managed and operated by the Cashier Historical Society.   Visit their web site to learn more about this historic home.

NAI Region Four.  Present a one-day workshop on Planning and Designing Effective Interpretive Panels, March 11, 2005, hosted by Pokagon State Park, Indiana.   Workshop Fee: $15.00 NAI Member, $30.00 Nonmembers.  This workshop is being presented as a "donation" by JVA with all fees going to NAI Region Four.   For workshop registration/questions please contact Robin Dugan at (800) 428-5887 ext. 151, or at rdugan@eciheritage.net .  

Summit County (Ohio) Metro Parks. Provide interpretive master planning facilitation/consulting services to Metro Parks for a variety of interpretive planning/nature center planning projects.  January 2005 - 2006.  You can visit Summit County Metro Parks at: http://www.neo.rr.com/MetroParks/

  Summit County (Ohio) - Metro Parks Naturealm.  Develop the Interpretive Master Plan for Naturealm, including outside interpretive sites, trails and features as well as interior exhibit planning.  July/September, 2005.

    Some of the Naturealm exhibits that will be included as part of the future exhibit rehab/redesign.   The new exhibits will focus on a new interpretive theme for Naturealm illustrating how "Nature makes your life better".

Botanic Garden Education Network (BGEN). Conduct a two-day interpretive training workshop for BGEN members - one day on Interpretive Planning and the second day on Evaluation of Interpretive Programs and Services.  BGEN members are educators in botanic gardens, zoos, parks and other sites that cover biodiversity issues.  The workshop was hosted at the Chester Zoo, Chester, ENGLAND, September, 2005.

BGEN Workshop participants.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI.  Conduct a docent training course on tour planning and presentation techniques/skills.  February, 2005.  You can visit this client at: http://www.meijergardens.org

Parks Canada - Western Region.  Provide a 5-day interpretive master planning course for regional (and out-of-region) Parks Canada Staff members responsible for developing individual National Park interpretive master plans.  Calgary, Alberta. February 2005

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center/Preserve,  MD.  Develop the Interpretive Master Plan for the preserve, and Interpretive Exhibit Plan for the Battle Creek Nature Center.  The project  began in October, 2004 and was completed in 2005.  You can visit this site at: http://calvert-county.com/cypress.htm.

  Georgia DNR State Parks and Historic Sites. Conduct a 3-day Interpretive Master Planning course for parks and historic sites interpretive planning staff.  January, 2005.

Route 12 Heritage Trail & Southwestern Michigan Commission, Benton Harbor, MI.  Contracted to develop a complete Interpretive Systems Plan for the total heritage trail system.  First phase of the project will be from September through December, 2004 and then extend through 2005.

  Detroit Children's Museum.   Provide an interpretive exhibit planning focus workshop session for museum staff to help develop a new interpretive content planning strategy for the museum.   June 2005.  You can visit the museum at: http://www.detroitchildrensmuseum.org.

Norfolk Tourism, Norfolk, England.   Conduct a variety of interpretive training workshops and site visits/critiques for regional Norfolk heritage sites/attractions, coordinated by Norfolk Tourism, May, 2005. Site visits included the historic Waxham Barn in Waxhambuilt in the 1500's,  and the Lotus Car Factory in Norwich.

Snowdonia National Park Training Center, Wales. Conduct a 3-day course on "Planning and Presenting Live Interpretive Programs and Tours", May, 2005.  

  Course participants learn technbiques and tips for presenting a live interpretive walk (Snowdonia National Park, Wales).

US Army Corps of Engineers - Interpretive Services Course.  JVA was awarded the contract to teach the annual   Interpretive Services Training Course for the Corps through 2006.  The contract also calls for rewriting/updating the course training manual, lesson plans, and all course handouts in 2004.  Training courses for 2005 will be in March at the COE National Training Center, Huntsville, Alabama.

Feb. 2004 Interp. Services Class.