IHS’s Destination Indiana Gets Bicentennial Upgrade
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Historical Society’s popular Destination Indiana exhibition is now more interactive, with more of the state’s stories than ever before. As part of IHS’s Bicentennial projects, eight time-travel stations, located at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, have been overhauled to include new content and new monitors with the latest standards in gesture-based touch-screen controls.
At first glance, visitors to Destination Indiana will notice a new galaxy-themed backdrop. Visitors can also swipe, pinch, tap and expand their way through more than 300 “journeys,” which use images and text to bring the state’s stories to life.
In addition, IHS changed the way the journeys are arranged and categorized. The new setup makes it easier for guests to find particular people, places and topics of interest.
“We are so excited by the new look and added features of Destination Indiana as we continue to share these amazing stories from Indiana’s history in such an innovative way,” said Suzanne Hahn, IHS vice president of the library and archives.
More than 1,700 man hours went into the Destination Indiana upgrade, led by Indianapolis-based PLOW Digital. The redesign includes art, animation, 3D, programming, touch-control development and more.
“We embarked on this collaborative journey with the IHS team to conceive a concept that combines science and art to deliver the Destination Indiana experience,” said Greg Phillips, partner at PLOW. “We are very proud to have worked with a team that has such a fun collaborative spirit and high standards for a quality experience.”
PLOW also created a Content Management System allowing IHS staff to make immediate changes to Destination Indiana content. IHS put the new system to the test with the addition of four new Hoosier histories in spring 2016.
The new journeys include the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, sponsored by Arthur Jordan Foundation, and the Indiana War Memorial, in honor of all the Hoosiers who served. The other two journeys, sponsored by Jean Thomas Wildman, feature General Equipment Company, which gave rise to the Burger Chef restaurant chain, and Burger Chef, at one time the second-largest hamburger franchise restaurant system in the country.
Guests can view the journeys in the History Center’s R. B. Annis Gallery and online at www.destination-indiana.com. The Destination Indiana website allows users to explore Indiana’s history free at home, in the classroom, or with a smartphone or tablet.
The Destination Indiana exhibition upgrade is an IHS Bicentennial project, made possible by the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation.
For more information about Destination Indiana and other IHS programs and resources, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.