The Excellence in Interpretation Award is the highest award presented to an individual National Park Service interpreter. The annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation by an NPS employee. The award was created to stimulate and reward creative thinking that results in positive impacts upon the preservation of the parks and the visiting public.
This award was named the Freeman Tilden Award for Excellence in Interpretation from 1981 to 2023. The National Park Service is shifting to more descriptive award names that clearly reflect the work awarded. We will continue to recognize the individuals who inspired or influenced these awards.
Freeman Tilden
Freeman Tilden has inspired generations of interpreters across the world. His book Interpreting Our Heritage continues to be a definitive text for the discipline. Read a brief biography of Freeman Tilden.
The interpreter who creates a whole, pares away all the obfuscating minor detail and drives straight toward the perfection of his story will find that his hearers are walking along with him―are companions on the march. At some certain point it becomes their story as much as his. -Freeman Tilden
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- Sites: Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Directorate, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, more »
View the recipients of the 2023 National Park Service Excellence in Interpretation Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation and education by NPS employees.
- Sites: Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Directorate, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, more »
View recipients of the National Park Service Freeman Tilden Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation and education by NPS employees.
- Sites: Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Congratulations to the 2021 National Freeman Tilden Award recipients, Caitlin Campbell of Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Lucas Wescott, Megan Richotte, Karen Evanoff, Kara Lewandowski, Anne Lattka, Tewosret Vaughn, and Monty Rogers of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve for their outstanding work in interpretation.
- Sites: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
The Freeman Tilden Awards for Excellence in Interpretation and Education recognize an individual and a team for excellence, achievement, and innovation in the profession of interpretation, education and visitor engagement. Congratulations to the national 2020 Freeman Tilden Award recipients, Justin Olson of Apostles Island National Lake Shore, and Anne Monk and Sabrina Oliveros of San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
- Sites: Grand Canyon National Park, Manzanar National Historic Site
Congratulations to all the two 2019 recipients of the national Freeman Tilden Awards. Learn more about all their innovative interpretive programs.
- Sites: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Gateway Arch National Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Grand Canyon National Park, National Capital Parks-East, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
In 2018, six talented National Park Service employees were awarded the Freeman Tilden Award for their amazing and innovative interpretive programs.
- Sites: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Coronado National Memorial, Everglades National Park, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Kenai Fjords National Park, National Park of American Samoa
Meet the national and regional winners of the 2017 Freeman Tilden Award; the National Park Service's highest award for excellence in interpretation.
- Sites: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Mount Rainier National Park, National Mall and Memorial Parks, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Yellowstone National Park
In 2016, six rangers were awarded a national or regional Freeman Tilden Award for excellence in interpretation. Learn more about their amazing programs!
- Sites: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, Everglades National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yellowstone National Park
Meet the recipients of the 2015 Freeman Tilden Awards, the highest National Park Service honor for interpretation, and learn more about their exciting programs.
- Sites: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Fort Washington Park, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, National Mall and Memorial Parks, more »
Introducing the national and regional recipients of the 2014 Freeman Tilden Awards, given in recognition of new and innovative programs in interpretation.
Last updated: June 27, 2024