Key Takeaways
- The Campus Martius Museum and the Ohio Company Land Office in Marietta will receive augmented‑reality (AR) panels this fall, letting visitors view historic structures as they appeared in the past.
- Scanning a QR code launches a video and podcast created by Brian Koscho of Invisible Ground, providing an immersive, self‑guided history lesson.
- Koscho’s initiative began in Athens in 2022 and now includes 17 immersive historic markers across southeast Ohio, with plans to expand further into Appalachia Ohio.
- The Ohio History Fund awarded a $15,300 grant to support the Marietta installation, reflecting strong public backing for preserving regional heritage.
- Expected benefits include increased tourist engagement, new school‑partnership opportunities, and a richer storytelling experience for the roughly 10,000 annual visitors to Campus Martius.
Project Overview and Expansion to Marietta
The Campus Martius Museum and the historic Ohio Company Land Office are set to become the latest sites featured in the Invisible Ground augmented‑reality program this fall. By installing QR‑code panels near each landmark, the museum will enable visitors to see digital reconstructions of the buildings as they existed in earlier eras. This effort builds on the success of similar installations in Athens and represents a natural expansion of Koscho’s vision to bring “invisible” history to life across southeast Ohio.
How the Augmented‑Reality Experience Works
When a visitor scans the QR code attached to a panel, their smartphone camera activates an AR overlay that renders the historic structure in its original condition on the screen. The scan also launches a short video and a podcast episode that narrates the site’s background, architectural details, and cultural significance. This multi‑media approach allows users to both see and hear the past, creating an engaging, self‑paced tour that does not require a guide or specialized equipment.
Brian Koscho’s Inspiration and Vision
Brian Koscho, director and producer of Invisible Ground, says the project grew from his personal enthusiasm for uncovering local stories that might otherwise be forgotten. He notes that many historic sites in southeast Ohio have been altered or replaced, making it difficult for the public to visualize their former appearance. By using AR technology, Koscho aims to bridge that gap, letting people “see it, hear about it, learn about it, and connect it to other places.” His passion drives the continual rollout of new markers throughout the region.
Historic Significance of the Featured Sites
The Ohio Company Land Office, dating back to 1787, is one of the oldest buildings in the state and a cornerstone of early American settlement in the Northwest Territory. Campus Martius Museum, housed in a reconstructed 1788 fort, interprets Marietta’s role as the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. Together, these locations encapsulate pivotal chapters of Ohio’s frontier history, making them ideal candidates for immersive storytelling that can illuminate their legacy for modern audiences.
Installation Timeline and Collaborative Efforts
Koscho anticipates that the QR‑code panels will be operational by the beginning of fall, following close collaboration with museum staff and local historians. Erin Augenstein, Executive Director of the Northwest Territory Museum Society, praised the partnership, noting that the shared enthusiasm for storytelling made the work “really easy.” The collaboration underscores a community‑driven model where institutions contribute expertise while Invisible Ground supplies the technological platform.
Funding Through the Ohio History Fund
The Marietta expansion received a $15,300 grant from the Ohio History Fund, presented by Ohio History Connection Program Manager Andy Verhoff. Verhoff explained that the fund is primarily supported by voluntary contributions from Ohio taxpayers who elect to allocate a portion of their state income‑tax refund, as well as purchases of Ohio History Connection license plates (with $20 of each $30 plate directed to the fund). In the most recent funding cycle, taxpayers contributed $194,657—the second‑highest total since the program began in 2012—resulting in 15 grants awarded and over $1.8 million distributed historically.
Visitor Impact and Educational Opportunities
Augenstein highlighted that Campus Martius Museum attracts roughly 10,000 visitors annually from every Ohio county, numerous states, and at least a dozen foreign countries. She expects the AR panels to give tourists “a little more to look at, see, and learn about our town,” thereby enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the project opens doors for school‑related partnerships, enabling teachers to integrate interactive local history into curricula and offering students a dynamic way to engage with the region’s past.
Future Expansion and Broader Goals
Koscho views the Marietta installation as a stepping stone toward a wider network of AR markers throughout Appalachia Ohio. He emphasized that the project’s “natural expansion” aligns with his goal of making historic storytelling accessible in as many communities as possible. With 17 immersive markers already in place since the initiative’s launch in spring 2022, the team aims to continue adding sites that reveal layers of cultural and architectural heritage otherwise invisible to the casual observer.
How the Public Can Learn More and Support the Initiative
Those interested in exploring the Invisible Ground experience can visit findinvisibleground.com for access to podcasts, videos, and a map of active QR‑code locations. Supporters of the program can contribute by donating a portion of their Ohio income‑tax refund, purchasing an Ohio History Connection license plate, or making direct donations through the Ohio History Connection. These contributions fund the creation of new panels, the production of historical content, and the ongoing maintenance of the AR infrastructure, ensuring that the stories of southeast Ohio remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come.