Introducing the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience: A First-of-Its-Kind Augmented Reality Journey Through History

SHELBYVILLE, Ky., July 16, 2024 (Newswire.com) - The stories of Kentucky’s Black Trailblazers come to life through a fully immersive experience that will inspire and educate travelers and locals alike with a rich tapestry of stories. Available to be explored now, the Kentucky Black Trailblazers is a transformative, first-of-its-kind experience that celebrates the influential Black figures who shaped the history of the Commonwealth and beyond. Six tourism agencies partnered on the project - ShelbyKY, Louisville, Oldham County, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, and Shepherdsville-Bullitt County - and received federal ARPA grant funds distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to assist with project funding.

ShelbyKY Tourism President & CEO Janette Marson developed the project, "We are thrilled to introduce the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience, an initiative aimed at honoring and preserving the extraordinary contributions and stories of our local heroes. Through the integration of Augmented Reality technology, visitors are offered the unique opportunity to travel back in time and encounter the personal histories of these remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on our cultural heritage.”

Two years of work went into creating the Kentucky Black Trailblazers experience, which includes 19 stops where users will hear and see, via Augmented Reality (AR), the stories of Muhammad Ali, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Oliver Lewis, Civil Rights Leader Whitney M. Young, Jr., and more. The experience locations, which are listed on KyBlackTrailblazers.com, include signage containing QR codes. Users will scan a QR code with their device to launch the experience; there is no cost associated with participating in the Kentucky Black Trailblazers. 

The AR experience used in the Kentucky Black Trailblazers was created by the innovation studio, Tactic. Building on the creative direction and historical guidance of the tourism agencies, Tactic worked with production partners to digitize the reenactments in three dimensions, allowing the historical figures to speak to users through QR code-enabled signage.

"This is a truly exciting and culturally meaningful use of AR, allowing users to see history ‘come to life’ in a way that hasn’t been done at this scale," says Tactic President Peter Oberdorfer. "The potential of this medium to tell stories is boundless. But, in particular, this mix of augmented and mixed reality with live-action holographic video is a compelling example of the power of creative technology to invite new audiences to explore this important history."

For more information, visit KyBlackTrailblazers.com.

About The Kentucky Black Trailblazers – The Kentucky Black Trailblazers is a transformative, first-of-its-kind experience that celebrates the influential Black figures who shaped the history of Kentucky and beyond. Six tourism agencies partnered on the project - ShelbyKY, Louisville, Oldham County, Bardstown, Elizabethtown, and Shepherdsville-Bullitt County. Launching in summer 2024, the Kentucky Black Trailblazers includes 19 stops where users will hear and see, via Augmented Reality, the stories of Kentucky’s Black Trailblazers. For more information, please visit KyBlackTrailblazers.com.

Source: ShelbyKY Tourism