WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer: A Virtual Voyage Through History
Requires: DirectX Runtime and Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable
Experience the story and history of World War I through an immersive 3D model of the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. Designed for 7th - 12th grade social studies classrooms or for any history enthusiast, this innovative, free resource offers a unique way to explore one of the most significant events of the 20th century.
App Highlights:
• Interactive Virtual Tour: Navigate the 1.7-acre park and explore narrated, interactive audio-visual experiences located throughout the virtual memorial.
• The Sinking of the Lusitania: Engage with a 3D story where you control the camera, bringing this pivotal event to life.
• Timeline Tower: Discover an 80-foot tall virtual timeline featuring 50 key WWI events, each narrated for an in-depth historical understanding.
• Vehicles of WWI: Examine detailed models of WWI airplanes, ambulances, tanks, and a 1917 vintage Harley Davidson.
• A Soldier’s Journey: Listen to the narrated story of the 38-figure, 60-foot long centerpiece bronze sculpture, completing the WWI Memorial in the fall of 2024.
• How WWI Changed America: Explore the social impacts of WWI, including its effects on women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, citizenship, rights, propaganda, and parallels with the modern COVID-19 pandemic.
These are only a sampling of the many features that make the WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer one of the most engaging and educational tools for exploring WWI.
For History Buffs:
This app is perfect for exploring the National WWI Memorial from your desktop. It’s great for prepping before an actual visit, enhancing your experience during the visit, or digging deeper into the history after you’ve been there.
For Classrooms:
With increasing restrictions on student smartphones, WWI Memorial Desktop Explorer is ideal for teacher-led explorations and presentations of WWI resources, potentially inspiring students to download the augmented reality version for out-of-school interactive projects. The content is parallel in all formats.
Key Benefits:
• Free Access: No membership or registration required.
• Privacy Assurance: No personal information collected.
• Ad-Free Experience: No in-app purchases or upgrades.
Important Note:
The app includes documentary scenes depicting the devastations of war and period soldiers smoking cigarettes, presented in historical context and not featured prominently.