Bringing History to Life with Cutting-Edge Virtual Technology: Alex+Tom’s Collaboration with the National Park Service

At Alex+Tom, we believe in the power of storytelling through technology. When the National Park Service (NPS) in Massachusetts approached us to create a virtual walkthrough of the historic Nathan and Polly Johnson House, we saw a unique opportunity to bridge history and innovation.

This home holds significant historical value as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Polly Johnson, a free Black woman and abolitionist, opened her doors to freedom seekers, including Frederick Douglass, who lived there for several years after escaping bondage. With a story that needed to be told, the challenge was finding a way to make the house accessible to a broader audience despite limited accessibility and tour hours.

Enter Matterport technology.

What Is Matterport?

Matterport is a leader in 3D scanning and virtual tour technology, renowned for its high-definition scans and pioneering dollhouse view, which provides a 360-degree experience of scanned spaces. During the research phase of this project, the Alex+Tom team selected Matterport as the clear choice for creating a high quality, easy-to-use 3D tour of the Polly Johnson House and created an accessible, immersive experience that captured the essence of the property. With an intuitive iPad app and seamless integration, Matterport allowed us to create a virtual walkthrough with ease.

A strong virtual tour starts with the right capture method. For the Johnson House, we used a Matterport camera to record floor-to-ceiling 3D imagery, then paired it with on-site video to bring the space to life. We also added 3D floor plans and a city layout showing the home’s historical location, plus a narrative storyline to help viewers connect the visuals to the property’s history.

A Seamless Experience with a Lasting Impact

The final virtual walkthrough is more than a technical win. It doubles as an educational resource, helping the Johnson House story reach new audiences, especially younger visitors who might not connect with history in a traditional format.

That same accessibility value is a big part of why we keep coming back to Matterport. We’ve scanned spaces like lighthouse interiors and the decks of historic ships, giving people of different abilities and mobility levels a way to explore places they might not otherwise be able to visit.

Bringing the Past to a Global Audience

For NPS, that means a digital experience that travels. By making history easier to explore and easier to share, technology can bring the past to people wherever they are.