Above: A Jewish man visiting the MOMA museum. New York City. Photo credit, José Martín Ramírez Carrasco
Museums are critical to communities, as they house social objects and interpret history for the public. But in recent years, museums have been cast as boring and out-of-touch. This reputation is not unfounded, as many people do not wish to spend an afternoon strolling through dull exhibits with text-heavy plaques, endless objects, and little engagement opportunities.
However, many museums are rising to the challenge by incorporating audio technology throughout exhibits. Step into any museum today, and you will most likely be met with background sounds, oral histories, interactive audio devices, audio tours, and even more advanced technology, such as binaural audio experiences. These technologies help audiences engage with history in innovative ways, immersing visitors in the sounds of the past.
For many years, museums have employed background sounds throughout exhibit spaces to ensure immersive experiences for visitors. However, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum excels at using spine-tingling audio to transport visitors to Germany during that unimaginable time. For example, within their “Nazi Assault—1933-1939” exhibit, the museum features audio from Nazi parades and rallies, setting an ominous tone for what is to come. Later, in the “Final Solution” exhibit, visitors hear oral histories from Auschwitz survivors. While difficult to listen to, hearing oral testimonies from survivors creates a new level of appreciation and understanding for what they experienced during the Holocaust.
When I visited Hampton Court two summers ago, I was pleased to learn the Historic Royal Palaces invested in audio tour devices! While simple in design, these devices make it very easy to learn about the history of the building and the people who filled its halls.
The audio devices are designed similarly to a smart phone, with pre-loaded guides to the various rooms, corridors, and grounds. They come with headphones and offer a plethora of languages to choose from. What makes these audio tours very enjoyable is the self-paced nature. Because the audio tour allows the listener to select the room they are in, visitors have the freedom to wander Hampton Court at their leisure, not in any specific order. They can choose any starting place in the palace, select bonus content when in specific rooms, or pause at any point to take pictures of the breathtaking art. During my tour, I found myself completely absorbed in the stories of Cardinal Wolsey and Henry III. But it was also wonderful to pause and take in the grandeur of the palace.
Hampton Court is now offering TV themed tours of Bridgerton and The Favourite, which were both filmed at the palace! This is a very modern approach for the Historic Royal Palaces, and I think the payoff will be overwhelmingly positive, as they are sure to attract younger audiences.
While digital audio devices improve visitor experiences, they pale in comparison to the technical advances being made in museums today. In 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) was challenged with creating a temporary exhibit, “Visitors to Versailles (1682-1789),” that would explore not only the immaculate palace, but the experiences of those who attended its court. To achieve this, the digital department at the MET created a 3-D audio experience that would transport guests to horse carriages, halls, and gardens of Versailles.
Nina Diamond, the executive producer of the Digital Department, explained that 3-D sound is different than the traditional headphone experience, and Binaural Audio recording helps capture the essence of how we experience sound in real life. She explained:
“You're on a street corner in New York. On your right, you hear the crowd bustling past on the sidewalk. On your left, your friend whispers in your ear. Above you, there's a passing helicopter. Below you trundles the subway. It's "surround sound," but courtesy of the two microphones in your head—that is, your ears. They let you know what's where—how many inches, feet, or miles from you, and in what direction. When you close your eyes, you can nonetheless call up a precise image of your physical environment. Binaural audio recording mimics the dimensionality and immediacy of this experience.”
While the physical exhibit was temporary, the public can still listen the unique 3-D sound created by the MET’s Digital Department. With selections like “Getting Dressed for Court,” and “To See the King,” listeners will feel as if they are walking through the busy, echoing court of Versailles, preparing to meet the king!
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Lauren is a public historian based in California. She holds a masters in American History from Arizona State University. She has worked at historic sites since 2017, helping small museums with education, interpretation, and collections. When she isn’t visiting museums, Lauren enjoys curling up with a good book, ideally with her cat Einstein.