Cultural and Historical Interpretation
A deeper understanding and a broad perspective.
Toelke Associates has extensive experience in historical and cultural interpretive projects. Our love for and knowledge of the visual arts and history gives us both a deeper understanding and a broad perspective on how to effectively and appropriately both inform and educate the public. This work includes specialty books and publications, accompanying materials such as on-site or indoor interpretive signage, and guidebooks — from kayaking and hiking to history-themed travel. We are familiar with many sources of images and can undertake picture research, as well as the creation of custom maps and other graphic elements.
WATERWAYS OF WAR SERIES
The French & Indian War
A Traveler’s Guide to the French & Indian War Forts, Battlefields and Historic Sites along America’s Byways in New York and Pennsylvania
The Turning Point of the American Revolution
A Traveler’s Guide to Revolutionary War Forts, Battlefields and Historic Sites along New York’s Lakes to Locks Passage Scenic Byway
The War of 1812
A Traveler’s Guide to the War of 1812 Forts, Battlefields and Historic Sites along America’s Byways in New York and Pennsylvania
This series of three cultural and historical traveler’s guides was produced from 2009 through 2015 for both the Great Lakes Seaway Trail and Lakes to Lock Passage, official US Scenic Byways. Toelke Associates was a primary consultant for the projects, and was responsible for most of the picture research and acquisition from multiple sources, design development, and all image editing, page design and layout. In addition to content by principal writing associate Steve Benson, Ron Toelke wrote numerous informative sidebars for all three publications. The books are available through Lakes to Locks Passage.
COLUMBIA COUNTY OUTDOORS
A Guide to Recreational Areas in Columbia County, NY
Toelke Associates had designed and produced two editions of a 48-page booklet titled “Walks by Protected Land in Columbia County” when we were approached regarding a new, comprehensive guide to county recreational areas. We designed this 120-page full-color book which features 39 sites (plus boat launches), with each site showing a description and map. It includes a county map with site locations and map key describing recreational icons and landscape features. Toelke Associates created the county locator map and adapted and enhanced the basic site maps provided by the Conservancy’s mapping specialist. The book includes a brief history, notes on landscapes, and several pages about various recreational activities. The book’s preface was written by US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
OLD HOUSES OF AUSTERLITZ
The history and early architecture of a rural New York town
The town of Austerlitz, New York, features an astonishing array of well-preserved old houses from its past as a prosperous farming community. The story of these homes and other buildings is told in this unique book, based on six years of original research. Profiles of every one of the 168 buildings surviving from an 1888 town map are illustrated with historical and contemporary photographs. Also included is a history of the town from the 1750s to 2018, Austerlitz’s bicentennial year, and an architectural survey encompassing two centuries.
Toelke Associates was approached by the Austerlitz Historical Society to consult on and eventually design and produce this large, 396-page full-color hard-cover book. Two primary writers, a principal photographer, and our editorial associate researched and produced the content. The design, image editing, map work, and page layout were all done by Toelke Associates, the book printed and delivered in time for the 2018 Bicentennial celebration. All 600 print copies were sold. A CD-ROM with a complete PDF of the book was later made available.
Toelke Associates was later engaged to design and produce a series of six timeline panels and associated display materials for the recently opened Austerlitz History Center in Spencertown, New York.