Heritage interpretation consists of any communication process designed to reveal meanings and relationships of cultural and natural heritage to the public, through first hand involvement with an object, artifact, landscape or site.

Heritage interpretation may be performed at museums, historic sites, parks, nature centres, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and a host of other heritage sites. Its modalities can be extremely varied and may include guided walks, talks, drama, staffed stations, displays, signs, brochures and electronic media. Those who practice this form of interpretation may be called guides, naturalists, communicators, educators, visitor services staff, or a host of other names.

The creation of heritage interpretation centres is a viable solution for the effective communication of heritage information in small and medium municipalities and rural areas where there are not sufficient resources to establish museums, and where heritage can be an important factor for tourism development.

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

NAI was formed in 1988 from two existing organizations—the Association of Interpretive Naturalists (AIN) and the Western Interpreters' Association (WIA). AIN was created in 1954 and WIA in 1965 to provide training and networking opportunities for interpreters of natural and cultural history in nonformal settings (parks, zoos, nature centers, museums, and aquaria).

From 1954 to 1988, the Association of Interpretive Naturalists and Western Interpreters Association operated as two separate professional organizations with offices in Needwood, Maryland, and Sacramento, California, respectively. After merging to form NAI in 1988, a partnership was created with Colorado State University's Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism. CSU students work in the National Office as interns and work-study employees.

In June 2004, NAI moved into a new national office and training facility in the historic Old Town of Fort Collins, Colorado.

• Natural Heritage Education

External links

• All about heritage interpretation centres in Europe
• Interpretation Australia
• Interpretation Canada
• Interpret Europe
• Scottish Interpretation Network
• Interpret Scotland
• Association for Heritage Interpretation (UK)
• National Association for Interpretation (US)
• Worldheritage-Forum – Weblog and Information on World Heritage Issues

Hermeneutics | Cultural heritage | Museology