The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Wired Campus

October 22, 2008

U. of Virginia Will Create Virtual Tours of 5 Colonial Williamsburg Sites

The University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities will help the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation develop interactive digital re-creations of five of the town’s historic sites as they appeared in 1776.

The three-dimensional models, intended for use by researchers as well as the general public, will incorporate “the wealth of historical documentation amassed by Williamsburg scholars,” the foundation said in a news release. The project is being paid for by a $943,000 grant from the federal government’s Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Jim Horn, Colonial Williamsburg’s vice president of research and historical interpretation, said that creating detailed virtual tours would be “extremely helpful to museums seeking to enrich visitors’ on-site experiences with a compelling online experience and will be of great benefit in expanding museum audiences, especially among the young.” —Lawrence Biemiller

Posted on Wednesday October 22, 2008 | Permalink |

Comments

  1. This sounds great. I have always wanted to go to Williamsburg, but have never gotten there. This project will at least let me see it online. And after all what is only 1 Million dollars when the government is handing out billions to poorly mangaged banks, and brokerages.

    — Rick    Oct 23, 08:56 AM    #

  2. It’s very cool, especially for envisioning what no longer is. But Rick, it can’t replace being there :)

    — HIED doc    Oct 23, 12:45 PM    #

  3. I have been to my favorite place about 5 times and think it is worth every dime they put into Williamsburg, VA. Thank you.

    — Bette Butcher Topp    Nov 12, 11:05 PM    #

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