A Comparative Review of the physical and digital sites.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Argument
Harpers Ferry is a small, picturesque town that sits at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It was first established in 1763 by Robert Harper who operated a ferry service across the Potomac River. Embodied in this place is the natural beauty of the location, surrounded by mountains and bordered by the rivers. There is a layered history of the town, beginning with its first inhabitants, the industries that developed along the river banks, the presence of the federal government through its placement of an arsenal and weapons armory, a place for the insurrection organized by abolitionist John Brown and later its importance during the Civil War. It is a place where former enslaved started a college and tourism was encouraged for African Americans. It is also a place for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors of all ages. In order to preserve the town and keep it from falling into ruin, an amusement park and addition of hotels brought an influx of tourists at the turn of the century. It was incorporated into the National Park Service in 1963. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is about the importance of the town as a place.
Audience
Harpers Ferry attracts people of all ages from outdoor enthusiasts interested in riding bikes along the old canal, hiking part of the Appalachian Trail, or tubing down the rivers. It is also a popular tourist attraction for school groups and those interested learning more about the US Civil War.
Physical Site
The site layout is that of a typical small town, located along the rivers and canals, with storefronts and small shops built on steep hills. The restored storefront buildings are operated by the National Park Service, along side privately owned shops and restaurants. They have a partnership with the local Harpers Ferry Park Association, who staff the bookstore. Along Shenandoah Street, which runs parallel to the Shenandoah River, are a series of restored 19th century storefronts where museum exhibits are housed. They include the exhibit on Industry, the old Armory, the Introduction Center, and the John Brown exhibit.
I began with the exhibit on Industry, which highlights the various industries of Harpers Ferry, such as grist mills and the construction of muskets and rifles. Overall, it appeared dated. There were no interactive elements to engage the audience. Next I went to the Introduction Center, which presented an overview of the place, with pictures, a timeline, and a few small exhibits. A short film gave a brief history of the place, and what is available for visitors to see and experience.
The most popular exhibit for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is about the abolitionist John Brown. The public was directed to use a back door as a temporary entrance because the front door is currently undergoing renovations. The exhibit occupies several rooms, with a more effective traffic flow from the front entrance than in the Industry exhibit space and the Introduction Center. There are graphic displays of timelines with pictures and text for the audience to gain an understanding of how John Brown’s raid unfolded chronologically. This exhibit offers several interactive tools for users, consisting of computer touch screens to learn more about the people involved in John Brown’s raid and his subsequent trial. Unfortunately, several interactive displays were out of service. This exhibit concludes with an enclosed bookshelf with books related to John Brown, and finally a board with descriptions of democracy and civil rights to the present day.
The primary items used to communicate the interpretation are the physical, recreated buildings of the town that house the exhibits and bookstore, and artifacts from the industries and tourism that are a part of Harpers Ferry history. There are many pictures and photographs documenting how the town grew through industry, transportation and tourism.
Suggested Changes
For the John Brown exhibit, I would address the lack of lighting in certain areas that were too dark to see what was displayed. The interactive machines that were not working could be serviced. The Industry exhibit looks tired and outdated, and could use the addition of interactive pieces to engage the audience. Several exhibits were closed due to updates and renovations. There was a noticeable lack of presence of docents and other interpreters, although I was not sure if they expect fewer visitors during the winter months. In conversation with two women who work at the bookstore, they mentioned the lack of workers for the National Park Service nationwide.
The overall presentation and interpretations were appropriate for the audience, as long as visitors to historic Harpers Ferry first stop by the Introduction Center to learn about the varied history of the place, beyond John Brown’s raid and its association with the US Civil War.
National Park Service Website: Harpers Ferry
The digital website for Harpers Ferry is part of the National Park Service website, which provides general park information for all the National Parks. The website highlights Harpers Ferry as a rich and storied place. Under “Plan Your Visit,” it provides basic information such as driving directions, local accommodations and fees, places to go, things to do, accessibility and nearby attractions. After clicking on “Things To Do,” users can find information about the museums and exhibits on display at the physical location. Links bring users to new pages to read brief stories about the lives of Indigenous people, John Brown and his 1859 raid, Harpers Ferry during the Civil War, the armory, and Harpers Ferry as a place of industry. Each page consists of text and corresponding pictures of people, artifacts, documents, and buildings.
Audience
The audience for the National Park Service: Harpers Ferry website is anyone who is interested in learning more about what the park and surrounding town has to offer. It appeals to tourists, school groups, and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, bicycling, kayaking, or strolling along the canals.
One of the ways that the website can offer information that the physical space can not is when exhibits are temporarily closed to the public. One of the exhibits closed for renovations is about the struggle for African American’s civil rights in Harpers Ferry. However, users can access information and pictures through the website instead. Another exhibit only available on the website can be found on the main page for Harpers Ferry by scrolling down to the “Lockwood House Virtual Tour.” The historic house is temporarily closed to the public because of renovations. Readers can learn about the history of the house originally built in 1848, and the previous additions and modifications made to the structure over the years. There are detailed floor plans and panoramic pictures of each room, which can be enlarged for a closer look.
Users can provide feedback to the website’s creators by contacting the National Park Service through the mail, via telephone, and through email. As far as user participation, there is a section at the bottom of each page asking users if it was helpful by clicking on yes or no. Overall, I found the website easy to navigate, and not much different in terms of educational information than what was available at the site location.