The History Education Zone emphasizes education. Cultural/historic resources are restored and interpreted for visitor understanding. High level of development is common in this zone for management/control of people and traffic, protection of the resources and historical interpretation. In some cases, the History Education Zone can be a subset of one of the other resource zones, and as such, the guidance for that zone will also apply.

1.   Natural Resources:

• Natural resources that have been identified as important to the historic/cultural landscape are managed to perpetuate those qualities. This can include non-native species specific to the era and/or location.
• This zone will reflect natural processes, with vegetative management focused to restore and maintain natural ecological structure and processes (such as removing of invasive species), to address hazard trees, and to manage pests and disease. Vegetation may also be managed to enhance education/interpretation uses which can include non-native species specific to the era and/or location, and maintaining an aesthetically appealing landscape that is sensitive to the historical resource and interpretation of the zone.

2.  Historic/Cultural Resources:

• Cultural and natural resources (including historic buildings, structures, and landscapes) may be restored to specific time period(s) if essential for the visitor understanding of historic period(s) OR rehabilitated to support visitor and staff activities for in-depth interpretation of historic period(s).

3.  Recreation Opportunities:

• Visitors engaged in sightseeing and educational activities in a cultural setting.

4.  Education Opportunities:

• Structured interpretive/educational activities related to the historic resources (ie. guided, brochure or audio tape tours, in-depth history exhibits, media, and programs).
• Interpretive signage at trail heads, on the trail, overlooks and other points of interest.
• Some off-site interpretation as well.

5.  Visitor Experience:

• High visitor encounters accommodated.
• Visitors engaged in structured interpretive/educational activities related to the historic resources (ie. guided, brochure or audio tape tours, in-depth history exhibits, media, and programs).
• Moderate time commitment.
• Low exertion.
• High on-site interpretation.
• Some off-site interpretation.
• Moderate noise tolerance.
• High interaction with DNR staff.
• High level of accessibility

6.  Management Focus:

• Maintain historic/cultural integrity of the zone and, if a sub-set of a resource zone, maintain emphasis on natural resource quality.
• Keep development consistent with the zone.
• Strive for quality visitor experience of historic interests.

7.  Development:

• Developments necessary for visitor understanding and/or staff support are compatible with the historic periods or are accommodated off-site.
• Restored or rehabilitated area includes necessary protection, security and heating and cooling systems and visitor/staff support uses, such as restrooms and offices.
• Development, including interpretive media, consistent with historic periods.