Interpreting the Absent: The Use of Digital Story Trails and Deep Mapping to Resurrect a Former Lumber Mill Landscape

James Juip, Michigan Tech University
Don Lafreniere, Michigan Technological University

An interpretive panel offset slightly from the trail’s edge has become a ubiquitous sight in most parks. As such, practitioners of interpretation and museum studies have developed a robust set of best practices in their creation and implementation. Digital interpretive techniques have been used for years to provide visitors with new ways to engage with interpretive material and now digital mapping technologies are beginning to be used as well. Digital mapping technologies are providing visitors a quick and easy way to navigate and view historic sites. However, these maps are not often connected to deeper layers of spatio-temporal data that can provide unique historical context for the modern landscape. Deep mapping allows visitors the opportunity to explore these historical connections in a much deeper manner. Separately, each is a unique tool available to create an engaging visitor experience. We argue that the integration of interpretive panels, deep mapping technologies, and digital interpretive techniques into one cohesive interpretive trail plan offers the opportunity to create a more holistic and engaging experience for visitors, especially when visiting former industrial landscapes.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 167. New Methods in Historical Mapping: Deep Maps, ChatGPT, and New Media