In the sunken lawn at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Bill Barker’s voice pierces the retreat’s serenity.
While the Jefferson impersonator has spoken at the Bedford County plantation many times before, Saturday will mark the first occasion visitors can hear him at the push of a button.
The retreat unveils a new technology this weekend featuring handheld devices called GPS rangers that provides audio and video information about its history and landscape.
“This enables us to really enhance the education and interpretation of the property and reach people in different ways,” said Anna Bentson, director of public relations and marketing. “We can provide more information about the landscape. The beauty of Poplar Forest is it’s not just a house.”
The rangers automatically display information when triggered at 20 points of interest within the property. They visually and audibly describe the retreat through digital maps and video recordings of Barker.
The nonprofit purchased close to 40 devices through a grant from the Institute of Museum of Library Services. The hardware for each cost around $700, Bentson said.
The retreat staff produced the presentation with BarZ Adventures, a Texas-based company that has worked with national parks, historic cities, college campuses and tourist attractions in similar projects.
The company came to the site earlier this year to shoot several days worth of footage, which included recordings of Barker and staff.
The devices are available with a regular admission ticket. Users’ feedback will determine if the nonprofit purchases more of them, said Bentson.
Jackie Almond, director of information technology, said one advantage they provide is directing visitors without cluttering the property with signs.
Lynn Beebe, the retreat’s president, said the technological feature represents “a whole new frontier” of discovering new information about Poplar Forest.
“We wanted to do this for years,” said Bentson. “We’re really excited to introduce it on Saturday.”
- Poplar Forest will unveil the handheld tours on Saturday during regular hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- The retreat also will host Museum Day on Saturday, with free admission provided to visitors who have a “Museum Day” card from Smithsonian Magazine (details: www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday.)
- Other Lynchburg-area venues participating in Museum Day include: Amazement Square, the Maier Museum and Sweet Briar College art galleries.
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