History/Archaeology Poster Exhibit Plan Draft
For the Hozomeen Gathering—“SHARING WHAT WE KNOW”
Bob Mierendorf 7/24/2009
Posters at the Hozomeen Amphitheater
Indigenous people have a long history in the place that today is called “Hozomeen” and
we have an opportunity to share what we know about this history at the Gathering. One
of the main ways we will do this is by creating a series of laminated posters that will be
displayed on the exterior walls of the Interpretation Amphitheatre, which is located on
the “international spit”, just south of Ross Lake campground and just north of the
international boundary.
Posters will be attached to the cedar siding of the amphitheatre at the beginning of the
Gathering, where they can be viewed as a self-guided exhibit by all attendees. For this
purpose, we have available 12 panels (i.e., wall sections) ranging in width between 27”
(69 cm) and 96 in (243 cm). A sketch of the amphitheatre floor plan and elevations are
attached.
We will need to use the primary reading space located at eye-ball level, ca. 3-6 ft (1-2
m) above the ground; above and below this space it becomes awkward for viewing.
The horizontal space is set by the width of the panel. Given these sideboards, we have
latitude to design and layout the posters in landscape and portrait views, and can fill the
space as we choose.
Poster space dimensions. See attached planview and elevation diagram of the
amphitheatre. There are ca. 15-25 poster spaces available for our use, depending on
the poster dimensions. Here are some possible poster dimensions, but these are
flexible, except for the first dimension, which is the horizontal dimension. It looks like
there’s plenty of space.
1 8 X 3 ft (this is the large west wall, meant for a large satellite photo/map of area)
4 50 x 18 in
4 48 x 18 in (two of these will be aerial photos of Hozomeen area)
4 55 x 18 in (one of these on NW panel is an intro/explanation of the Gathering)
2 50 x 18 in
4 25 x 36 in
Poster style guide. Each poster should have a title. The idea behind posters is to use
simple, nontechnical language for any text blocks, which should be kept short and direct
and avoid long, convoluted sentences and technical archeology jargon/terms. Clear
graphics, photos, and maps should be included that support the text. Posters need not
be complex or elaborate.

Preferred font: verdana. I’m using Microsoft Powerpoint, version 97-2003 to make my
posters, but I’m not sure how important it is that this be standardized among us all.
Also, Rudy Kehler will be suggesting another file format that he says will result in a
much better printed poster, but this requires a conversion of .ppt into this other file type,
so I will let you know more about this when I know.
Possible poster titles and authors.
Kelly Bush: “Traditions Around the Hearth”, “How Curley Chittenden Saved the
Meadow”
Dave Schaepe: “Thiusoloc’s Map”; Trails; Sto:lo Place Names (from p. 137 of Sto:lo
atlas, possibly other relevant graphics from the Atlas??)
Ian Franck: “In the Shadow of Hozomeen”
Dana Lepofsky: Chittenden Meadow Cultural History
Ken Lertzman: Chittenden Meadow Forest History
Doug Hudson: Similkameen Red-ochre
Bob Mierendorf: “Hozomeen Timeline”; “Sharp Like A Knife” (indigenous use of local
tool stone); Hozomeen Bibliography; Map of Archaeological Sites in the North
Cascades; Preserving Cultural Heritage Sites; History of Upper Skagit Valley
Archaeology; “14,000 Years of Hozomeen Climate History”; Henry Custer’s 1859 Visit
(plus 1866 U.S. Boundary Commission Map); “Pre-reservoir photos of Skagit Valley”
John Scurlock: Modern Aerial Photos of Hozomeen Area
Laura Wealick, Carmen Pastores-Joe, and others: Salish Plant Names and Hozomeen
Area Place Names
NPS-SEEC: 2008 NPS poster detailing SEEC-funded projects (already prepared)
NCI: Detailed Satellite Photo of Northern Cascades
Anonymous: There will be extra panel space for other posters or postings that may
arrive late or be created at the Gathering