Career
His work with the United States National Park Service inspired generations of interpreters across the world and continues to be a definitive text for the discipline. According to thematic interpretation expert, Sam H. Ham, Tilden"s quotation on page 38 of Interpreting Our Heritage (which was taken from a United States National Park Service administrative manual) has become one of the most cited phrases in the interpretation literature worldwide:
Through interpretation, understanding. Through understanding, appreciation.
Through appreciation, protection.