Interpretation programs at a historic preservation site - A mixed methods study of long-term impact

The focus of the current study is to better comprehend the long-term impacts of interpretation programs at a historical site. The authors used a mixed methods research approach to uncover and explore both the immediate impacts of the experience as well as the long-term information that was retained 6 months following attendance of the short duration program. The findings support previous research in interpretation and suggest that a direct connection to the resource promotes long-term retention of tour topics. This study uses pre- and postquestionnaires, in-depth and informal interviewing, observations, and the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data to investigate the phenomenon.