On Feb. 27, the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture launched Freedom Trail App: Deep Ellum AR, an interactive app designed to help users explore Black history in Dallas.
Photo courtesy of Nostalgia Black.
The augmented reality app walks users through moments and locations that are key to Black history in Dallas. Beginning in the 1860s and continuing to present day, the app educates users on topics like the impact of slavery, the significance of Juneteenth and its effects on Dallas. The app offers lesson plans for classrooms and homeschoolers as well as scavenger hunts for those aged 12 and up.
The app’s creation was a crucial part of the City of Dallas’ Racial Equity Plan and the 2018 Dallas Cultural Plan. The former was adopted after the Dallas City Council unanimously voted to create an REP in order to “reframe racial and economic inclusion as integral to Dallas’ growth.” The Dallas Cultural Plan was adopted by City Council to “strengthen and improve access to the City’s tremendous assets through arts and culture.”
The launch was announced at a Deep Ellum Community Center event that brought together city officials, cultural leaders, historians and key stakeholders to celebrate.
Office of Arts and Culture Director Martine Elyse said, “Having a free app available to remember and understand our Dallas history is important as we work together as a community to shape the present and prepare for the future.”
The Freedom Trail App can be downloaded for free from the App Store and Google Play Store.
