The Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center
Our favorite initiative to preserve history for future generations.
Full Environment
6 Galleries
27 Multimedia Interactives
14 months from concept to completion
Awards:
Challenge
The Shelby County Historical Society is a small group determined to preserve their town’s history. But they faced the immense challenge of overcoming unawareness, apathy, logistical hurdles, and competing sources for attention.
Our Strategic Spark
When FireWatch joined, we knew the facts weren’t enough. They had to be told in stories. And the stories had to be shared in an immersive environment to wow guests of every age.
Solution
We took everything—the characters, geographies, milestones, innovations, local quirks—and looked at it first through the lens of a filmmaker, then a craftsman. We plotted a story from the settlers and their infectious gusto to the local movers and shakers building the tech of tomorrow. From first ground to groundbreaking firsts.
Figures of History
Instead of a robust docent staff, motion sensored portraits spring to life and interact with guests as historical docents.
Plane Game
Guests fly an aircraft invented in Shelby County over actual aerial footage of modern day Shelby County to learn the impressive distances historical pilots traveled.
Geography Depiction
Guests get an in-depth look at the Earth beneath their feet—including a real-life mammoth bone that they can touch (but not take).
Light Connector
Guests are challenged to complete an electrical wiring puzzle with actual circuitry (no computer fabrication involved).
Water Travel
A fun, free-spinning trackball acts as a spinning browser through past and present video footage.
Train Engine
Guests solve engineering tasks, making the train roar into action with holographic steam (instead of actual steam and its logistical challenges)
People of Impact Gallery
Guests learn about people from the region with a low-tech curiosity wall. But with so many players in the town's history, we created a kiosk for another layer of education. Guests use it to scan the QR code on their lanyard and see a random historical figure with that code, which they can also send to themselves for further discovery.
Client Reaction
“The Shelby County Historical Society had been discussing how to bring Shelby County History alive for years. We researched our history but struggled with an innovative way to make it come to life for the residents of Shelby County. FireWatch helped us achieve an exhibit that was more than we ever dreamed we could afford to create.”\
- Tilda Phlipot, Executive Director