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  • 1.  Visitor journey examples

    Posted 06-18-2025 12:18 PM
    Hi All:

    I'm working on a project for which it would be useful to have successful examples of museum interactive experiences that involve a visitor journey. Specifically: one that requires some sort of onboarding for the visitor at the beginning, includes multiple touchpoints as they go through the museum, and some sort of reveal or culminating experience at the end. Ideally I'm looking for examples where there is intended to be continuity: the visitor follows the experience through rather than dipping in and out. The specifics of the technology (handheld device, mobile, wristband, etc.) aren't necessarily relevant to my question--I'm more interested in how the visitor is brought along on the journey in terms of the narrative or overarching content.

    The Spy museum in DC is one example of this that I'm already aware of, but I'm looking for others. 

    Thank you!
    Tara Young


  • 2.  RE: Visitor journey examples

    Posted 06-19-2025 08:13 AM
    Edited by Susan Zwerling 06-19-2025 08:13 AM

    Hi Tara! 

    This is a great question!  I agree that the Spy Museum is a good example of this approach. 

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) has given visitors identification cards that feature the story of a real person who lived in Europe during the Holocaust - a biographical sketch of the person, describing their life before and during the Holocaust, and their fate. I'm not sure if they still do this, and or if they include multiple touchpoints to help reconnect the visitor to the individual or other ways to create continuity through out the visit.
    The Whitney Plantation did something similar the last time I was there, but there was no continuity or effort to leverage that individual's story into the ongoing experience of the guided tour. That was about 5 years ago, so it is possible they've build that out beyond creating empathy and grounding historical reality.
    I look forward to seeing what others can share about this. 



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    Susan Zwerling
    Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships
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  • 3.  RE: Visitor journey examples

    Posted 06-20-2025 09:25 AM

    I recall the traveling exhibit for the Titanic years ago did something like that.  AS visitor's ticket to the exhibit resembled a ticket for the ship with and included a passenger's name.  At the end of the exhibit, you got to review a list to see if your passenger survived the sinking or not.

     

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  • 4.  RE: Visitor journey examples

    Posted 06-20-2025 09:43 AM
      |   view attached

    One of the best museum events I've done was the RevQuest at Colonial Williamsburg in 2013. You got a bandana identifying you as a participant, secret message, and you had to look for clues around CW. Staff were involved and could help you figure out the clues. At one point you had to assemble at a specific location/time to get a live clue. My 8 year old at the time was completely engaged, and honestly, my husband and I would have done it even without our kid in tow! We saw parts of CW that might otherwise have missed. It's one of our family's favorite memories. Apparently it was discontinued in 2015, but I wish more places would have opportunities like it.



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    Karen Edgerton
    Bend OR
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  • 5.  RE: Visitor journey examples

    Posted 06-20-2025 11:45 AM

    Hi Tara,

    Similar to the RevQuest that Karen mentions, the Children's Museum of Houston has its SECRET Spy Game where visitors purchase a "mission" package with gear, then solve a sequence of STEM-related challenges sprinkled about the museum. I've always wanted a chance to try it myself! https://www.cmhouston.org/exhibits/secret-spy-game



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    Betsy Loring
    Worcester MA
    betsy@exploringexhibits.com(978) 618-9673
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