Thanks to the North Creek Depot Museum in the Adirondacks in Warren County, visitors can now experience Theodore Roosevelt in a dynamic and engaging new way: an interactive hologram of the 26th president.
The hologram, which was developed in partnership with TimeLooper, Inc., recently made its debut at a reception held at the Tannery Pond Center in North Creek, where it will be entertaining and educating guests until it moves to its permanent home at the Museum in late September.
According to Museum Board President Tony Cucchiara, “The state-of-the-art, 3-D digital representation of one of our nation’s most popular presidents is the centerpiece of the Museum’s months-long commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt’s historic ‘Night Ride to the Presidency,’ which took place in the Adirondacks and ended at the North Creek train depot. We believe that the hologram is the only one of its kind in the Adirondacks.”
The innovative project, he added, was made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor.
During the hologram’s public unveiling, attendees asked “TR” a variety of questions, either verbally or by typing on an iPad. One questioner asked Roosevelt about his state of mind during his harrowing, death-defying journey down a river in the Brazilian Amazon in 1913–1914, while another asked about which of his fellow presidents he particularly admired.
Museum Board member Pete Hoskins, a resident of North River, asked, “If you were president today, what would be your priorities?” The hologram, which formulates its answers by drawing on a dataset composed of primary source materials in the public domain, could not comment specifically on current-day affairs.
It did, however, give a long, thought-provoking answer based on Roosevelt’s progressive “Square Deal” policies that, among other goals, aimed to conserve natural resources, protect consumers and rein in some of the unchecked powers of large corporations.
“He talked about his own priorities, about justice, and about equality,” Hoskins noted. “His answers ring true today.”
For more information about activities being planned to celebrate the anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt’s Night Ride to the Presidency, visit teddyrooseveltnightridetothepresidency.org
About The North Creek Depot Museum
Listed on the State and National Registrar, the North Creek Depot Museum is located in the town of Johnsburg, Warren County, NY. The rail line hugs the Hudson River shore through North Creek on its way to Tahawus in the Adirondack High Peaks. The station complex also includes the restored freight house, engine house, sand tower and a ninety-foot turntable.
The North Creek Railway Depot Preservation Association collects, preserves, and interprets objects related to the history and culture of the Greater Gore Mountain Region. It makes those objects and their interpretation available to the public through the operation of the Depot Museum with its educational exhibits and programs.
The Museum focuses on several major themes: Theodore Roosevelt and his “Night Ride to the Presidency” in North Creek; Thomas Durant and the “Adirondac” Railroad that he built from Saratoga to North Creek (1866-71); and the early pioneers of skiing that built and developed the historic ski trails in the area. Along with their exhibits, they also have a model train diorama that represents the region from the early to mid-20th century.
Read more about Theodore Roosevelt.
Photo of Theodore Roosevelt hologram (above) and North Creek Depot Museum platform (below) provided.
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