San Juan Island Administrative History

CHAPTER 6:
Interpretation and Visitor Use

Interpretive Prospectus, 1971

The first interpretive prospectus for the park was approved in January 1971 by Pacific Northwest Regional Director John A. Rutter. The ideas in the plan were developed during an on-site meeting, October 26-28, 1969, by a NPS planning team consisting of Superintendent Stoddard; historian John Hussey; landscape architect Ron Treabess; and interpretive planner Alan Kent, from Harpers Ferry Center. Reed Jarvis, Erwin Thompson, Marvin Sharpe, and Rhoda Anderson are also listed as providing assistance.

The American Camp interpretive shelter, c. 1971-1972

Ranger Fred Stevens in uniform at the interpretive shelter.

The document presents the park's major interpretive theme to be the Pig War, "its cultural and political circumstances, and most important, the idea . . . that discord and dissension between nations can, if subjected to rational behavior, lead to justice and friendship and a feeling of well-being, and also to a realization of the senselessness of freewheeling attitudes and clashes of arms." [1] The prospectus identifies, as an extension of that interpretive theme, the life of Jim Crook and his family, who settled at English Camp and lived there nearly a century. The life and work of Jim Crook is defined as a secondary theme for park interpretation.

The document advises against overkill and throwing "thousands" of facts at visitors. It suggests gearing programming towards families and young people: "arouse the kids and you've got the parents." [2] After a brief lecture on interpretive theory, the document sets out primary objectives: provide prospective visitors with some idea of what the park is about and give them information about visiting it; give visitors an idea of the San Juan Island diplomatic question involved in the dispute (being careful to show the passionate stand of both sides without taking sides); use the sites themselves to highlight the park story (interpretation should be carried out at and in the structures that exist and at the sites where structures once stood); highlight the U.S.-Canadian friendship in interpretive programs (stress how the two countries have utilized peaceful means of settling grievances); recognize the part Jim Crook played in preserving English Camp, including environmental elements of the story; satisfy visitor curiosity by identifying landmarks that can be seen from overlook points at both camps; and finally, provide visitors with a sense of the environmental values of the camps, and "include some musings about the quality of the world we live in".

The document offers several interpretive proposals for the park, presenting its interpretive themes from the viewpoint of a family. The team also tried to follow a structured visit, although the authors acknowledged that the nature of the park prevents the assumption that visitors will stop at one camp prior to the other.

First, the document identified pre-visit interpretive needs, including: development of a "../colorful, nicely designed exhibit for each of the ferries, for the Seattle-Tacoma airport, and for the ferry landing in Anacortes" and a park leaflet for travelers as well as a poster to be placed at points that do not warrant a "full-fledged exhibit." These exhibits would define the purpose of the park and describe available facilities and access routes.

The document suggested signage placement at the Friday Harbor marina similar to the exhibit or poster idea developed for ferries and at the terminal in Anacortes. Development of a shuttle system is suggested, encouraging visitors to leave their cars on the mainland and reduce congestion. The prospectus states that such a system could be developed by resort owners or some other private enterprise. Development of an appropriate signage system, incorporating the park's emblem of crossed American and British flags, would direct visitors from Friday Harbor to the two historic camps.

As identified in the master plan, the prospectus recommended an information center in Friday Harbor to include administrative offices for park staff, restrooms, two large photo enlargements of the camps, an attendant, information/sales desk with a map as well as other area information, a publications stand, and storage space. It also recommended providing a stand-up A/V presentation of five minutes or less in an alcove. The purpose of this program would be to orient the visitor to the island and the park, describe what facilities and activities are available to them, with some information about the Pig War interwoven throughout the story. Use of a sound/slide system was recommended, one that could be converted to film later if desired. The first floor of the Mason's Building was suggested for the information center.

The prospectus discussed American Camp first on the theory that most of the historical action occurred at this site and "the events of 1859 are most readily understood here" and that English Camp will be the most impressive of the two park sites and this method of visitation would be saving the "jewel for last". [3]

Development suggestions for American Camp included construction of a visitor facility that would be staffed in the summer season and provide information, publication sales, and restrooms. The major interpretive element would be a three to four minute film that presented the park story in its "largest context" from the American viewpoint, including commentary on world events during the conflict using an American reporter like Walter Cronkite to narrate. The prospectus outlined a lot of information to be included in this three to four minutes and acknowledged the tall order of the recommendation. The film would be contrasted with a similar presentation of the "British Case" at English Camp utilizing the same type of information from the British viewpoint and with a British or Canadian version of Walter Cronkite narrating. The prospectus recommended use of existing historical photos in the presentations and researching the possibility of using art as the primary medium. At the end of each film, the visitor would be encouraged to visit the other camp.

The prospectus forgoes exhibits at the American Camp facility other than a map for information purposes. It does offer items to consider for future displays, like archaeological material or even timbers from the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) farm.

The proposal recommended a two minute audio presentation at the Redoubt site highlighting events in relation to the sites where it actually took place. Trails to the HBC farm and other sites should be developed, including a spur trail to San Juan Town. The overlook site should also have an "orientation device," identifying the major physical features across the waters from the island. The Redoubt should be restored to its appearance of 1859-60 and replica guns mounted. Wayside exhibits explaining its construction should also be developed. Living history opportunities included demonstrations of period American Camp soldier equipment. Wayside exhibits utilizing historic drawings and sketches of the site could be placed at the sites of Bellevue Farm, San Juan Town, and other camp structures, relying on archeology to reveal these sites for proper identification. The prospectus also suggests allowing grazing sheep at the Bellevue site to further develop the historic scene.

The "Pickett House" should be moved back to the site, restored, and eventually refurnished to show how an officer would have lived during those years. At the very least, the fence that surrounded the compound should be reestablished allowing visitors to easily identify where the buildings (visible in period drawings) existed on the ground.

At English Camp, the prospectus recommended a visitor facility, staffed with a sales and information desk, and restrooms, a historian's office, small library, and storage area. It should be located in a space that is visually separated from the historic setting. Exhibits could include a historic painting of the camp and Royal Marine documents. As stated earlier, there would be a short film for visitors to view.

Other recommendations included the need to restore the barracks, blockhouse, and storehouse (commissary) with the barracks selectively refurbished to represent the Royal Marine life. On display could be uniforms, gunracks, tables, bunks, and games. The document also suggests utilizing audio of voices (talking about the barracks in someway) and smells, although it does not specify what those would be. The blockhouse and storehouse could be similarly equipped, taking advantage of "olfactory" opportunities and audio of "characters". [4]

The document also suggests stabilizing the masonry ruin; locating and identifying other building sites; re-creation of the flagpole; reproduction of the historic garden; and possibly reconstruction of the wharf. The historic setting of English Camp afforded ample opportunity for living history demonstrations, specifically activities of daily life at the camp (cooking, games, carving, work in the gardens, etc.). The report stressed that interpretation should detail the activities of military life during their 12-year peaceful occupation of the island. The prospectus recommends examining Fort Davis' military demonstrations for possible programs at English Camp. It is interesting to note that in 1971, they were considering tearing down the Crook House, despite the popularity of Jim Crook in local island history and the fact that islanders, during public hearings and comments on park establishment, had specifically requested interpretation of Crook's history at English Camp.

Wayside exhibit and foot trail opportunities included the captain's house, the cemetery, and the historic maple tree. During restoration and archaeological work, temporary waysides should be developed to educate visitors about preservation and archaeology at the park.

The prospectus concludes by listing the best sources for historical research about the park, offering a list of research needs, a suggestion for a commemorative stamp for the 1972 boundary settlement centennial, and a collections statement. Research needs identified include: information on specific historic furnishings, research for audio/visual productions, and material on Jim Crook.

The collections statement defines park collecting as supporting the park interpretive theme and objectives. A large collection was not foreseen, consisting mainly of archaeological and historical artifacts kept for documentation purposes. Historical items associated with the Pig War and the military occupation were to be collected for exhibit purposes. Furnishing plans would determine what should be collected with regards to historic and replicated furnishings for building interiors. Demonstration programs would require the collection of replicated materials for use. Items of relevance to Jim Crook should be preserved, like the existing implements and inventions in park possession. The prospectus states "when the Crook House is torn down," the doors should be saved (speculated to originally be off the captain's quarters) and any other pieces believed to have come from original English Camp structures. Beyond items already in possession of the park, no further materials on Crook should be collected.

Lastly, the prospectus offers a suggestion by Superintendent Stoddard that the park provide programs around a campfire setting, recommending the master plan be revised to include a "campfire circle" at each site. When done, the prospectus could then be revised to include development of programs.

In addition, Superintendent Stoddard provided recommended staffing levels for the implementation of the prospectus interpretive goals. His recommendations called for a Superintendent, an Administrative Officer, an Information/Receptionist position, and one seasonal in Friday Harbor; one Park Ranger and two seasonals at American Camp; and a Chief of Interpretation and Resources (historian), three seasonals, one permanent maintenance position, and one seasonal maintenance position at English Camp. Staffing recommendations also suggested the development of an exchange program with the Canadian Park System, which would bring Canadian seasonal interpreters to the park in order to present different viewpoints to visitors.

The interpretive prospectus was written during the early development stages of the park, and contained the ideas planners envisioned for the park. In a sense, it is the wish list for park interpretation. The cost estimate in 1971 for completion of the park interpretive plan: $122,700.

Volunteer Jim Meredith speaking in costume at the Barracks, English Camp. Volunteer Ted Leche looks on.