Sinnemahoning Interactive
Visitors explore custom maps and 3D graphics to learn the rich history of Pennsylvania’s First Fork Valley, from pre-industry communities to present-day conservation efforts.
In the early 1800s, Pennsylvania saw the beginnings of a logging boom. This thriving industry brought the need for railroad expansion and increased trade and travel in the area. Housed in an authentic bark shanty in the Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park, this interactive installation provides a window into the past, showing the transformation of the land and telling the stories of its people.
As visitors navigate an interactive timeline, they discover stories related to different historical eras. Simultaneously, a detailed map of the First Fork Valley morphs to show the expansion of railroads and settlements. Concise, newspaper-style narratives describe the landscape and locate nearby points of interest on the map. Biographies of prominent historical figures are presented in 3D journals, and digital scrapbooks offer insight into local communities. Custom graphics playfully communicate facts and statistics to help visitors put historic details into a contemporary context. Built using the gaming engine Unity, the presentation leverages sophisticated graphics capabilities to give lifelike qualities to 3D models and bring a modern feel to the history of the First Fork Valley.