Oct 27, 2025
This week’s Wednesday Webinar featured Kyle Pierce and Lydia Ireland from STQRY, along with Jessica VanDeMar from the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, who shared their exciting work bringing Ontario County’s history to life through the Finger Lakes Virtual Museum.
The project combines physical historical markers with a digital experience accessible through QR codes, a web app, and augmented reality. Visitors can explore historic sites, hear stories from figures like Susan B. Anthony, and even interact with AR versions of artifacts, buildings, and events—all from their phones or tablets. The initiative also includes gamification, with badges and themed tours that make history fun and engaging for all ages.
Why This Matters:
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Historical markers often provide just a couple of sentences about a location, leaving out rich context. The virtual museum fills in those gaps, connecting residents and visitors with Ontario County’s history in an interactive way.
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The program is designed for everyone—from casual visitors exploring the region to local school students taking field trips, with plans already underway to integrate it into classroom learning.
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Using technology like AR, GPS-triggered content, and gamification helps create memorable experiences while keeping accessibility in mind, including compatibility with multiple devices and screen readers.
Success Stories:
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Students can scan QR codes at their schools or local historic sites to trigger AR content and engage with history hands-on.
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Historical markers across the county have been updated or fitted with new QR code brackets, ensuring that both existing and new signs connect seamlessly to the digital experience.
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Local historians, supervisors, and community members were engaged throughout the process, ensuring the project respects local history while bringing it to life in a modern, interactive way.
Funding & Partnerships:
The project was supported through a New York State grant for construction and marketing costs and leveraged local partnerships, including Magic Spell Studios at RIT, for AR content and audio recording. Story provided the app platform and ongoing support to make content management easy and flexible.
Their closing message: History doesn’t have to sit on a plaque—it can come alive for everyone, anywhere, anytime.
Huge thank you again to Darby and Alyson for sharing their time, as well as everyone who attended! You can watch the recording above, and access the slide deck here.
About the NYSTIA Wednesday Webinar Series:
Back by popular demand, NYSTIA is once again hosting a free, weekly virtual workshop series in an informal, "coffee and conversation format. All are welcome to join and send invitations to your friends and colleagues! Each webinar is recorded and archived for post-event access. This season's webinar topics include: the outdoor recreation economy, tech in tourism, generative engine optimization, community branding, digital maturity, sustainable event planning, accessible recreation, & more! Sign Up for Free
Next Week: Reclaiming Inspiration: Using Tech to Bring Back the Heart and Soul of Tourism with Jackie Saunders from Tiki. Learn More & Register