USS Monitor Center
The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, VA
2007
Recreated USS Monitor A full-size replica of the exterior of the USS Monitor was created in “battle trim,” as it appeared on March 9, 1862, when it engaged in the historic first battle of the ironclads with the CSS Virginia. Visitors can access the deck directly from the gallery where interpretive panels exploring features of the novel ship with historic photos of the crew on deck are embedded in the steel deck.
Project Description
This 15,000-sf AAM Curator's Committee Award-winning project interprets the design and construction of the novel warship, its role in the Civil War, its legacy, and the recovery of portions of the vessel from its Atlantic Ocean wreck site. The interpretive framework centers the use of first person narratives from archival letters and journals to foreground the human side of this technological and naval battle story. Walk-through environments, interactive experiences, immersive media, and skillful artifact interpretation help visitors discover surprising aspects of the Monitor story, get to know its designers and crew, and understand its significance in naval history and technology.
Interpretive Planner / Content Developer / Writer
Established interpretive strategy and developed storyline for exhibits, interactives and media. Conducted content research and worked closely with museum curators, archivists, and conservators; civil war historians and scholars; and NOAA marine archaeologists and historians to develop the storyline. Helped develop formative evaluation materials for a series of public focus group sessions to refine the storyline. Wrote content outlines, experience narratives, exhibit script and draft panel text, treatments for multimedia environments, and treatments and scripts for immersive media and digital interactives.
With DMCDdesign; Batwin+Robin Productions
Winner 2008 AAM Excellence in Exhibition Award
Story Station A series of touchscreens invite encounters with a variety of figures in the Monitor story, including this one about an escaped slave who served on the ship during the battle whose story is drawn from crew letters and journals.
USS Monitor Revolving Gun Turret A carefully crafted replica was created as a temporary placeholder in the exhibition until conservation of the actual turret is completed and can be installed in the gallery. Graphic rails around the turret interpret the story of its discovery and recovery from 240 feet below the Atlantic Ocean’s surface, and what was learned from examining the recovered wreckage.
Photo: USS Monitor Center
Sinking of the Monitor Theater An immersive media environment evoking the last hours of the first ironclad warship dramatically introduces visitors to the Monitor’s story.
Photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary/Tom Freeman
Battle of Hampton Roads Aftermath Exhibit Graphic timeline mural interprets the aftermath of the first battle of ironclads in March 1862 and the fates of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. Interpretive text, images and integrated artifacts illuminate the dramatic events in vivid detail.