WHAT SHOULD MILITARY MUSEUM LOOK LIKE

Ian · 24th May 2006, 12:49 PM

Hi Michal:

Just a couple of observations based on a recent visit to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. This is a completely new museum with considerable financial backing. It opened about a year ago.

Some of the displays were stunning and the use of electronic media was particularly impressive. One display featured a "modern" U.S. television coverage of a presidential election as it might have been in 1860 when Lincoln was running for President the first time. Current, well recognized political newscasters provided analysis of the four main candidates.

But the display that really caught peoples' attention was the Civil War Map. This is a large digital map of the U.S. at the time of the Civil War showing the Union and Confederate territories. Audio sound effects match what is happening on screen. It presents a timeline of the War, with the battle lines moving backwards and forwards over time. Battles are highlighted with on screen explosions at the various sites (plus sound effects), and the timeline marches forward. On one side of the display were digital counters of the Union and Confederate casualties -- these ticked over at amazing rates, even during winter when the fighting was dormant. The winter casualties reflected deaths from disease and malnutrition. Diseases (dysentary, malaria, pneumonia, etc.) claimed more lives than battle casualties.

Just a few thoughts about electronic media that might be interesting.

Ian.

24th May 2006, 12:49 PM	#11
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Michal: Just a couple of observations based on a recent visit to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. This is a completely new museum with considerable financial backing. It opened about a year ago. Some of the displays were stunning and the use of electronic media was particularly impressive. One display featured a "modern" U.S. television coverage of a presidential election as it might have been in 1860 when Lincoln was running for President the first time. Current, well recognized political newscasters provided analysis of the four main candidates. But the display that really caught peoples' attention was the Civil War Map. This is a large digital map of the U.S. at the time of the Civil War showing the Union and Confederate territories. Audio sound effects match what is happening on screen. It presents a timeline of the War, with the battle lines moving backwards and forwards over time. Battles are highlighted with on screen explosions at the various sites (plus sound effects), and the timeline marches forward. On one side of the display were digital counters of the Union and Confederate casualties -- these ticked over at amazing rates, even during winter when the fighting was dormant. The winter casualties reflected deaths from disease and malnutrition. Diseases (dysentary, malaria, pneumonia, etc.) claimed more lives than battle casualties. Just a few thoughts about electronic media that might be interesting. Ian.