A few years ago, Taylor Studios designed new nature center exhibits for Turkey Run State Park in central Indiana. My role in the project was as project manager, representing Indiana State Parks.

Turkey Run State Park features a steep, narrow sandstone canyon. The moderate moist micro-climate within the canyon is representative of a climate found there thousands of years ago. Plants living in the canyon are more commonly seen in northern Michigan and Canada, but not in Indiana.

Taylor’s concept included a beautiful entry feature with stonework representing the look and feel of Rocky Hollow Canyon. The feature met visitors at the entrance to the exhibit hall, setting the tone for the site and visitor experience.

Rocky Hollow Canyon

Concept for gallery introduction
Over the course of its design, however, the feature became more than an atmosphere-setting piece.

At the park interpreter’s suggestion, coal seams and iron rust marks were added to the feature – incorporating important geologic stories of the canyon. These additions made the feature more than an entry experience.

By incorporating details into the entry feature, it now serves as:

By incorporating site-specific, realistic touches into an entry exhibit, the exhibit becomes more useful and adaptable to a variety of interpretative situations.

Authored by: Lise Schools, Owner, Interpretive Ideas, Okemos, MI