Hopewell Culture National Historical Park: Evaluating Educational Programs and Services and a Survey of Public Attitudes

Principal Investigators:
Jerrilyn L. Thompson, Department of Forest Resources and CPSP, 612-624-3699
Dorothy H. Anderson, Department of Forest Resources and CPSP, 612-624-2721
David W. Lime, Department of Forest Resources and CPSP, 612-624-2250

Project Personnel:
Cynthia A. Warzecha, Department of Forest Resources and CPSP
Vanessa Campbell, Research Assistant, Forest Resources

Project Duration:
September 1997 - ongoing

Funding:
Washington Office, NPS

Summary:
This projects assists managers of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park collect baseline data on existing use, users and nonusers in the park, and identified regional attitudes toward the park and cultural resource preservation.

In 1998, the CPSP worked with park staff to develop a survey that was distributed to educators bringing groups to visit the park. The goal of this phase of the project was to collect baseline data about the educators who participate in educational programs at the park. The survey gathered data about trip characteristics, use patterns and types of activities pursued in the park, educator characteristics, educators’ awareness and use of the curriculum guide materials developed by the park, and educators’ opinions about their visit, the educational material provided, and any barrier affecting future park visits. Data were collected from over 150 educators in 1998 and 1999.

Results show that most of the educators surveyed were familiar with the park and had visited the park between one and five times. Less than half of the educators were aware that a curriculum guide existed and was available to them. Additionally, fewer than a quarter of the educators had used the guide.

A community survey was developed in 2000 and mailed to local residents in 2001. The mailback survey assessed the attitudes and perceptions of the local community regarding the importance of archeological and cultural resources at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and in the local region.

Results show the majority of respondents are interested in archeology and support the protection of archeological resources. However, important differences exist between respondents and nonrespondents in terms of interest in archeology, which may affect their support for the protection of archeological resources. In addition, the results show the majority of respondents were unaware of some Park outreach programs, demonstrating a need for further marketing of such services.

This information will help the park staff evaluate and improve the outreach programs, including the educational programs they offer onsite and in the local community. Results of the study will be used to allow for better management of the significant cultural resources located in the park and help the park refine and improve education and interpretive programming that ultimately will help develop a citizenry that appreciates and protects cultural and archeological resources.