Living History - Digital Guidance
Technology Proposal
Introduction
This briefing paper proposes the implementation of interactive touchscreen technology within the historic cabin spaces of the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center to improve visitor interpretation and accessibility. As a living museum, the institution displays artifacts such as tools, furnishings, cookware, linens, and musical instruments within recreated nineteenth-century Tennessee homesteads, but many objects lack individual interpretation when staff are not present. Touchscreen displays featuring interactive images of each cabin would allow visitors to select objects and receive accurate historical information without the need for printed labels that disrupt the authenticity of the space. Implementing this technology would transform the visitor experience by preserving the immersive environment while creating a dynamic and educational platform that supports the museum’s mission of interpreting regional history.
Institutional Need
As a living museum, the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage center utilizes several historic cabins to display objects in a manner that replicates the likely environment of Tennessee homesteads in the mid 1800’s. Artifacts including tools, furnishings, cookware, linens, and even musical instruments are strewn about the cabins to better simulate the living conditions and livelihoods of the tenants. As these objects are not in a traditional gallery display, it can be difficult for visitors to gain information on each independent object without an interpreter present. While writing and printing labels for each object is possible, some objects are hung from the ceiling or may be too small to attach a large label to make these interpretations inaccessible. Printing and placing labels also disrupts not only the aesthetics of the cabin space, but also the general notion of a living museum; to grant visitors a unique form of access into historic spaces 2 that puts modern aesthetics aside. Our museum uses a living museum instead of a traditional gallery for these objects as it places them in direct relation to one another while simultaneously ensuring that visitors can understand the original intentions and uses of the objects in their original context. To print and mount hundreds of labels for each of the objects would take away from both of those objectives.
Proposed Solution
To combat this labeling issue, I propose the museum use an interactive touch screen in each cabin for visitors to use in order to gain these detailed and independent interpretations within the living museum space.(fig.1) The screen would display a photograph of the cabin space they are currently occupying and through touch screen technology, visitors will be able to select items they see in the cabin that they wish to explore further. The label will include both the object's identification and a brief description of the role in which the object plays in the home. For example, in the Cardwell cabin, there are several leaves of newsprint that are adhered to the inner walls of the cabin. Without an interpreter present, a visitor may assume these mounted Another example includes the entrance to the cabin. While visitors would 3 independently determine that the door is small because of the previous tenant's smaller stature, the truth is that the doors and windows were designed to be smaller in effort to mitigate the loss of warm air from the cabin upon the entry or exit of the home. All this, without an interpreter or the use of labels, would be lost on the visitor and would therefore make our displays ineffective as they failed to transmit accurate information to the visitor.
_edited.jpg)
Figure 1. Each cabin will be equipped with a large floor mounted touch screen for visitors to interact to gain further information about the objects displayed in the cabin.
Successful Technology Example
A museum that utilizes this method of labeling, in order to preserve the aesthetic of the space, is the Smithsonian Museum of American History; specifically in their Julia Child display from their permanent exhibition, FOOD: Transforming the American Table. The display of Child’s kitchen contains the tools and equipment from the late 1940s, when Julia Child began her life in food, through to 2001, when she donated this kitchen to the Smithsonian Institution.1 As Julia Child’s kitchen space is iconic due to its replication as a filing set for her cooking show, the space is entirely undisturbed by labels and interpretations.1 Instead, the museum utilizes a touch screen to allow visitors to select items they wish to learn more about. This example alone assures me that this method of labeling and translating interpretations is extremely effective in not only conveying important information to the visitor, but also in utilizing creative solutions to maintain the character and integrity of a historic space.
1. “Julia Child’s Kitchen, National Museum of American History.” National Museum of American History. Accessed May 1, 2026. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/food/online/julia-childs-kitchen.
Implementation Plan
Below is a detailed 12-month implementation plan for the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center’s proposed technology solution.
Technologies and Software Available
Floor-mounted touch screens, such as kiosks, can be a durable and worthwhile investment when selected and maintained properly. Most commercial-grade displays are designed for heavy public use and often last between five and ten years, depending on daily operating hours and environmental conditions. In many cases, the screen itself outlasts the internal computer components, which may need replacement every three to five years as software requirements increase or operating systems become outdated. Software updates can range from simple security patches, bug fixes, and content changes to larger redesigns that improve accessibility, user experience, or compatibility with new systems. A full software refresh is often needed every three to five years, while hardware replacement may become necessary when touch responsiveness declines, screens dim, parts become unavailable, or systems run too slowly. Common vendors in this field include Elo, LG, Samsung, Planar, BrightSign, all of which have established reputations in commercial display markets. To create a touchscreen feature where a visitor taps parts of a photo and information appears around that object, we would utilize an interactive image hotspot platform or clickable image map builder (fig 2). Several websites allow you to build this without advanced coding, which is important for an institution with a small staff such as ours. Genially is one of the best options for museums, schools, and exhibits because it lets you upload an image, place hotspots on specific objects, and attach text, audio, video, or pop-up windows.[1] It is beginner-friendly and offers plenty of templates for educational use.2 Interactive Image Maker is also widely used in education and museums as it allows rich media hotspots, narration, and virtual tour style experiences.[2] Overall, Genially and Interactive Image Maker are both great resources to create simple image map builders because they are stable, visually polished, and easy to update later with new content.
[1] “Build Interactive and Gamified Experiences.” Genially.com. Accessed April 30, 2026. https://genially.com/.
[2] “Interactive Image Maker, Create Clickable Images with Hotspots.” Interactive. Accessed April 30, 2026. https://interactive-img.com/.
Figure 2. Each cabin's floor mounted touchscreen will display 2-3 images of the space for visitors to interact with and use to gain further information about the objects displayed in the space.
Funding
For museums, visitor centers, libraries, or schools, these screens can enhance visitor engagement, may provide rotating digital content, improve accessibility, and reduce printing costs over time. However, their success depends on budgeting not only for the initial purchase, but also for future maintenance, updates, and occasional component replacement. A modular system, where the screen and internal computer can be upgraded separately, is often the most cost-effective long-term choice. For a floor mounted digital touchscreen, the average cost is between $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the size of the monitor. I believe, to gain the proper funds to implement this technology, a technology or education grant from the state of Tennessee could be the proper solution. If the grant were not rewarded, upping the museum admission fees from $10 to $15 would help to seize the gap and slowly grow our funds.
Technological Challenges
To successfully create touchscreen images that help museum visitors learn about objects inside the living museum cabin spaces without an interpreter present, both technical and organizational issues must be carefully addressed. From a technical standpoint, the museum must first select durable commercial-grade touchscreen hardware that can withstand frequent public use and operate reliably for long hours. The screens should be large enough for visibility, responsive to touch, and accessible to visitors of different heights and abilities. The software platform must allow interactive hotspot images where visitors can tap objects in a cabin photograph and receive clear information through text, audio, or video. It should be simple to update so staff can revise content over time without needing advanced programming skills. Reliable internet access or an offline operating mode is also important, especially in historic buildings such as ours, where connectivity may be limited. In addition, regular maintenance plans must be established for cleaning screens, updating software, troubleshooting malfunctions, and replacing aging components when necessary.
Organizational Challenges
From an organizational standpoint, the museum must determine who will oversee the project, including planning, budgeting, content creation, and long-term management. Curational staff and staff interpreters should work together to identify which cabin objects are most meaningful to interpret and write accurate, engaging descriptions for visitors. Leadership must also budget not only for initial installation costs, but for future repairs, upgrades, and content revisions. Training employees to operate and update the system will be essential so the project remains useful after launch. The museum should also consider visitor experience by ensuring the screens do not distract from the authenticity of the historic cabins but instead complement the space in a respectful and educational way. Finally, testing the touchscreens with visitors before full implementation can help identify usability problems and improve accessibility. By combining thoughtful technology choices with strong planning, staffing, and interpretive goals, the museum can create a sustainable project that enhances learning even when interpreters are unavailable.
Ideal Outcome
Overall, the hoped-for outcome from implementing this touchscreen technology is to create a more engaging, accessible, and self-guided learning experience for museum visitors while preserving the educational value of the living history spaces when interpreters are not present. By allowing guests to tap objects within cabin images and instantly receive information about their purpose, materials, and historical significance, visitors can develop a deeper understanding of daily life in the past and better appreciate the role these objects played in agrarian homesteads. This technology can also increase visitor independence by allowing individuals and families to explore at their own pace, spend more time with topics that interest them, and revisit information as needed. Another desired outcome is greater consistency in interpretation, ensuring that all visitors receive accurate and meaningful information regardless of staffing levels or tour schedules. In addition, the system can improve accessibility by offering multiple ways to learn, such as text, images, audio narration, or language options. Organizationally, the museum hopes this technology will extend staff capacity, reduce reliance on constant interpreter presence, and provide a flexible platform that can be updated as exhibits evolve. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance visitor satisfaction, strengthen educational impact, and make the living museum cabins more interactive and relevant to modern audiences.