Sloan Museum of Discovery: History Gallery Interactives

What makes a world-class community museum? For the Sloan Museum of Discovery it’s shining a light on the stories of the people of Flint, MI and reflecting them into the world with experiences devised to expand as the community evolves and the museum grows.
The History Gallery tells the story of Flint’s present day, and future possibility, by tying it to its remarkable past. From interactive histories to AR exhibits that enhance and provide virtual access to hands-off artifacts, these exhibits make Flint’s history accessible, engaging, and deeply human.
Billy Durant
General Motors founder Billy Durant helped put Flint on the map as the birthplace of the automotive industry. In this augmented reality experience, visitors step into the role of a Flint Journal reporter to interview Durant for a first-person account of this transformative time.
This exhibit brings the cars and carriages in this gallery to life by connecting them to a human story. Visitors converse with a historical reenactor on a transparent OLED screen on topics from Flint’s evolution into an industrial hub to the challenges and triumphs of Durant’s career.
Hellcat
AR brings visitors to places they can’t go on their own, like inside this World War II-era M18 Hellcat tank destroyer. Manufactured in Flint by General Motors, it symbolizes the strength of a city and an industry working together to meet a pivotal moment in history.
This reimagined experience reveals what’s behind the armor with period appropriate motion graphics, detailed schematics, and archival footage. It’s fun, engaging, and just plain cool.
Fair Housing
Flint was one of the first US cities to outlaw restrictive housing laws. This touchscreen interactive situates visitors in neighborhoods affected by these laws and their legacy.
By focusing on specific homes, some still standing and some demolished, we connect the city’s physical landscape with a deeper story of inequality, resilience, and change. The interactive map places visitors in proximity to the stories of these neighborhoods and reveals how these laws continue to shape Flint today.