Small Museums, Big Ideas - New York City Museums Show Size Doesn't Matter

NEW YORK, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While many of the bigger museums have had mobile guides for some time, smaller museums could rarely afford the investment in technology. Now they can.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140507/85621 )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140507/85620 )

MustSee guides offers a smartphone platform at no cost to the guide creator. Now, even small museums are able to create the same kind of applications they could not afford before. In New York City, the South Street Seaport Museum and the Morris-Jumel Mansion are taking advantage of the free MustSee mobile guide service to create their own guides and set their own price.

The South Street Seaport Museum has created a new guide to help visitors explore the 1908 lightship AMBROSE. AMBROSE was built to mark the entrance to the Ambrose Channel, a deep water route through New York Harbor. The guide takes visitors through the major parts of the ship, providing detailed stories of what life was like on board.

"We're very pleased with what MustSee has added to our interpretation. The free app for iPhone engages our visitors in a different way", said Interim President, Captain Jonathan Boulware. "It was very easy to create, upload, and we're looking forward to turning the MustSee app into an audio guide, a feature that we think will significantly improve our visitor experience."

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is a Palladian architectural jewel that is the last surviving headquarters of George Washington's revolutionary army and now offers contemporary art exhibitions, family programs, music concerts and historical tours.

Carol S. Ward, Executive Director at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, made the decision to use the MustSee service as a way to enhance the self-guided tour for the Mansion visitors and get prospective visitors to learn more about the historical aspects of the house and property. "We are able to bring to life the fascinating history of Manhattan's oldest house while also giving insight into its changing roles throughout time and also explore its place in twenty-first century New York."

"We have taken away the technology cost component for cultural institutions to create their own mobile guides," said John Soppe, Founder and CEO of Areté Media, creator of the MustSee service. "We provide the blank canvas so story tellers can create immersive experiences and develop connections with their audience."

The Lightship Ambrose and Morris-Jumel Mansion guide can be found on the MustSee iOS app on the iTunes App Store. Guide creators can start creating guides at the MustSee Creators Platform.

About MustSee:
MustSee guides is a mobile guide service developed by Areté Media, a New York City-based startup that creates technology for immersive experiences. Our top priority is to develop user experiences that transform the relationship between events or objects and their realization through digital media.

South Street Seaport Museum:
Maria O'Malley
Email 
www.seany.org
212-748-8600  

Morris-Jumel Mansion:
Carol S. Ward
Email
212-923-8008

SOURCE Arete Media