National WWI Museum Wins Award for Tech Exhibit
Electrosonic earns top honors for its immersive work on the museum's Encounters exhibit in Kansas City.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Historical
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Commercial Integrator recently awarded Electrosonic the Best Museum AV category for its work on the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The project features the new Encounters exhibit, which utilizes advanced technology to share stories from the Great War.
Why it matters
The museum aimed to modernize its storytelling capabilities while maintaining historical authenticity across its galleries. This upgrade allows the institution to expand how it engages visitors with complex personal narratives from the conflict.
The Encounters exhibit consists of 4 distinct alcoves showcasing 16 individual WWI stories. The installation is supported by $2.5 million in foundational funding originally raised by the Liberty Memorial Association.
The players
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Located in Kansas City, this institution serves as the official U.S. museum dedicated to remembering and interpreting the Great War.
Electrosonic
This technology company specializes in designing and building experiential audio-visual environments for museums and corporate clients.
Liberty Memorial Association
This organization was responsible for the initial fundraising efforts that established the Kansas City landmark in the early 20th century.
The details
The exhibit uses sensors to trigger interactive displays, including Christie projectors and Nanolumens LED screens that function as 3D portals. To manage the high density of audio, the design team incorporated HOLOPLOT sound systems to isolate sound within each alcove, ensuring the museum could remain open to the public throughout the renovation.
Timeline
The Liberty Memorial Association raised $2.5 million for the site in 1919.
Electrosonic received the Integration Award for the museum project in 2026.
Culture Shift
The modernization reflects a broader shift toward integrating immersive digital storytelling into traditional historical preservation sites. This trend mirrors the legacy established by the 1919 Liberty Memorial Association capital campaign by adapting the museum's infrastructure to remain relevant for future generations.
Visitors to the museum can experience the new Encounters exhibit immediately during regular gallery hours. The use of directional audio and sensor-based triggers ensures that guests can navigate the four alcoves without sound interference from neighboring displays.
The takeaway
Technological upgrades in museums are increasingly balancing advanced digital tools with the need to preserve intimate historical narratives. Visitors interested in history should look for how interactive audio-visual elements can help clarify personal stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
Further reading
Discover more about the site's ongoing evolution in the Kansas City Historical section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Commercial Integrator.
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