• The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
  • The Alchemy of Design: Fort Humboldt
project

Fort Humboldt Historical Park

location

Eureka, CA

client

Parks and Recreation,
State of California

services provided

Planning
Research & Writing
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Concept Design
Developmental Design
Fabrication Liaison

summary

Situated on a bluff overlooking Humboldt Bay, Fort Humboldt was a remote military post tasked with keeping the peace between Native Americans, gold-seekers, and settlers in the 19th century. The interpretive challenge was to create a sense of life at the fort as it existed from 1853 to 1870 when little of the original fort remains. All of Tilden’s principles were used in the development of the exhibits, with a strong emphasis in evoking visitors’ imaginations through the use of artfully suggestive exhibit shapes for the outdoor panels. The other interpretive principles were used to support this approach, including interpreting the story holistically in its historic context, relating the content to visitors’ present day needs and values, revealing meanings, and provoking thought.