Museum Experience
NPS: Camp Nelson National Monument
Wide Awake Films partnered with Camp Nelson National Monument to bring history to life inside the reconstructed Barracks through a cutting-edge Interactive Digital Exhibit. The installation transformed the space into an immersive storytelling hub.
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops and a refugee camp for their families. It served as a shelter for civilians fleeing war and for enslaved people hoping to secure their freedom and aid in the destruction of slavery. After seeing a similar project Wide Awake produced for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the team at Camp Nelson hired us to create an immersive interpretive experience that honors the legacy of the U.S. Colored Troops while showcasing how modern digital media can illuminate history in ways that are both educational and profoundly human.
Project Overview
At its heart stands a digital touchscreen map kiosk, giving guests the power to navigate historic data, maps, and imagery drawn from original wartime records. Across the room, a four-screen cinematic display captivated audiences with a five-minute looping presentation—blending period photography, live-action recreations, and motion-graphic storytelling into a seamless visual experience. WAF was also tasked with creating an interactive and accessible research database designed especially for descendants of United States Colored Troops recruited in the state of Kentucky. Wide Awake Films also oversaw all A/V integration, collaborating closely with our partner Bowen Technovation to ensure flawless technical execution. The custom touchscreen cabinet was expertly fabricated by Solid Light, delivering a durable and elegant solution that fit seamlessly into the reconstructed Barracks.
“In the Footsteps of Freedom” Interactive
Wide Awake Films was selected to design and produce the exhibit’s interactive digital centerpiece, blending cinematic storytelling with accessible historical research. We developed a touchscreen Civil War Map kiosk, allowing visitors to navigate archival data, maps, and imagery drawn from the National Park Service and partner collections. This intuitive interface opened a new pathway for visitors to explore genealogy, troop records, and historical context—all within a beautifully integrated digital environment.
"“In the Footsteps of Freedom” kiosk installed in the reconstructed barracks.
An interactive map of Kentucky’s black population from 1860-1900.
A close-up look at the main navigation screen of the kiosk.
The kiosk includes several gallery pages of imagery and ephemera from the time.
4-screen Video Presentation
Alongside the research component, we designed and produced a four-screen cinematic display featuring a five-minute looping film that wove together period photography, live-action recreations, and beautiful park photography crafted to immerse visitors in the amazing characters and scenery of Camp Nelson.
Genealogic Workstation
As part of the Statement of Need (SON), the National Park Service sought an exhibit that would make Camp Nelson’s deep Civil War history both interactive and personally meaningful—especially for descendants of U.S. Army soldiers who trained or served there or at other Kentucky recruitment centers. Leveraging the research painstakingly gathered by The Reckoning project, visitors can now search the records over 20,000 USCT soldiers who enlisted into U.S. service in Kentucky.
STEVE T. PHAN, Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services