What if we could see them the way our grandparents and great-grandparents viewed them: in full color?
A new augmented reality project called “Augmented History” offers this opportunity in the Historic Third Ward, where a number of these old advertisements remain.
Created by Third Ward-based marketing agency Hoffman York, “Augmented History” used research, hundreds of historic photographs, graphic design skills and modern mapping technology to recreate the signage that you can access via QR codes on a neighborhood map.
“With ‘Augmented History,’ we’re not only preserving Milwaukee’s history; we’re making it interactive and accessible in a way that’s never been done before,” says Hoffman York Executive Creative Director Mike Roe.
“This project marries our passion for storytelling with our commitment to innovation, allowing everyone to step into history where Milwaukee’s storied past gets a digital makeover.”
The map – paper copies of which should be distributed in the neighborhood in May (watch the Historic Third Ward social channels and website) – makes for a great Third Ward walking tour and allows you to step back in time and see the area’s faded ghost signs as if they were painted last week.
You can also find the tour and QR codes on the project website.
“It’s a portal to the past, offering a glimpse into the commercial vibrancy of old Milwaukee, all through the screen of your phone,” says Roe.
“We’re thrilled to offer this digital bridge between generations, fostering a deeper connection to our city’s rich history.”
This article was originally published by Bobby Tanzilo for OnMilwaukee. Read the original article here.
