Presentation given at the Museum Computer Network Conference, November 22, 2013

1. HISTORIES
OF THE NATIONAL MALL
Uncovering the history you never see with your
on the National Mall
mobile
Sheila A. Brennan, Associate Director of Public
Projects
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
@sherah1918 | sbrennan@gmu.edu

2. MOST VISITORS SEE THE MALL AS THIS

3. MALL ONCE LOOKED LIKE THIS

4. HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?
In this area of the Mall:
there was a railroad station;
a canal;
an assassination at the train station;
slaves were bought and sold.

5. WHY BUILD THIS?
Saw a need for interpretation on the Mall about the Mall.
Public history scholarship often never incorporated into
public sites.
Neutral organization, so that the site isn't about marketing
individual institutions, it's about the history of a public
space.
Experience and interest in building better ways to deliver
content to different audiences.

6. COMMITTED TO RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN FOR
GREATEST ACCESSIBILITY & SUSTAINABILITY

7. Historical Map Layers
Questions about episodes in Mall history
Interesting People
Significant Events

12. PEOPLE

13. Past Events

14. EXPLORATIONS

15. DETAILED EXPLORATION

16. SOURCES

17. WHAT WE'VE DONE
Built in Omeka
custom map layering (leaflet.js) plugin + Geolocation
exhibit builder for "explorations" and Scavenger Hunt
Custom responsive theme (all 2.0 themes, responsive)
Created lots of content
Started with public domain, open content
Bringing together resources from diff institutions
Testing
Started with sketches-> undesigned site->current
Map and filtering testing, on-site
Content testing: what is of interest to diff people

18. WHAT'S NEXT?
Publicity for March 2014 launch
Adding more content, exploring partnerships with area
institutions to focus on their stories, their sources
Translations
Adjusting based on feedback and use.