Digital Tapestry Coming to Ketcham Inn

Above: Needing a completely quiet space to record the voice for tavern cook, which will be part of the future Ketcham Inn digital tapestry at Center Moriches, NY.

The walls at Ketcham Inn that stood through the British occupation of Long Island unfortunately cannot talk, but soon, the pictures will!

Ketcham Inn Foundation has been collaborating for months with the 1776AR technical team to produce a digital tapestry for the one of their historic buildings: Ketcham Inn. The project will allow visitors to connect with the past by aiming their phones at portraits that will “come to life,” virtually, to tell the history of the place. 

The exhibit will include a series of digitally animated characters who have shaped the history of Ketcham Inn, collectively telling a story as visitors make their way through the building. Other Long Island landmarks, such as Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay, have already introduced this technology into their museums through help from The Gardiner Foundation. Learn more here. 

My part in the project involves a portrait of the tavern cook, modeled after historic cooking expert Diane Schwindt. Aim your phone at it and the cook will “come to life” virtually, to give visitors a taste of a day in her 18th Century life. When finished, an animated character resembling Diane will be speaking in my voice. Believe me, it will be highly entertaining for us to see ourselves combined! 

I am so thrilled and grateful to be included in the formation of this digital exhibit, and cannot wait for its unveiling. I will publicize the details when the exhibit opens.