Brian GADOMSKI / Andrew PATRAS / Drew NICOLO
(Drexel University, USA)
The proposed poster will augment “A consideration of 3D models as an alternative to reconstructing historical buildings and sites,” a 12th International Congress “Cultural Heritage and New Technologies” conference paper to be presented by Glen Muschio and Chris Redmann, Drexel University.
The Whitall House is an American colonial era home built on the New Jersey shore of the Delaware River. Built by Quakers James and Ann Whitall in 1748, the house served as a home and an entrepreneurial center. Activities included operation of an apple orchard, a shad fishery and ferry service to Philadelphia. Today, the house serves as a museum on the grounds of the Red Bank Battlefield National Park.
During the American Revolutionary War the Whitall’s apple orchard was seized by colonial forces and an earthen fort was constructed on the site. Dedicated as “Fort Mercer” it stood approximately 300 yards from the house. Following a fort battle, the house was used as a hospital to care for wounded Hessian troops and colonial forces. The poster will describe work, including the production of media assets, which will be used in a digital study guide to teach local history to New Jersey 4th grade elementary school students. The media assets will also be used to develop and promote tourism at the historic site. Assets include 3D models, video clips and other forms of documentation. The poster will be presented by 3 Drexel STAR (Students Tracking Advanced Research) scholars. The STAR Scholar Program is sponsored by the Pennoni Honors College, and Drexel’s Office of Civic Engagement, the program provides opportunities for outstanding freshman to work on research projects with guidance from faculty mentors.