Explore the Digital Learning Landscape

Space Lumira

Space Lumira Space Lumira was founded in 2012 by Dr. Eleanor Marsh, a historian with a passion for making historical sites accessible to diverse audiences. What began as a small consulting firm in Portland, Oregon has grown into an internationally recognized leader in innovative historic site interpretation. Dr. Marsh's vision was to bridge the gap between traditional archaeological and historical research and public engagement, creating immersive educational experiences that would bring the past to life in meaningful ways. The company's name—combining "space" to represent physical historical environments with "lumira," derived from the Latin word for light—reflects its mission to illuminate the stories embedded in historical landscapes and structures. In its early years, Space Lumira primarily offered consulting services to museums and heritage sites seeking to refresh their interpretive approaches. The company's breakthrough came in 2015 when it partnered with the National Park Service to develop a revolutionary augmented reality experience for Colonial Williamsburg. This project, which allowed visitors to witness historical events unfolding through their smartphones as they moved through the physical space, garnered significant attention and established Space Lumira as an innovator in the field. Since then, the company has expanded its operations across North America and Europe, working with institutions ranging from small local historical societies to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Space Lumira has distinguished itself through its sophisticated integration of digital technologies with traditional interpretive techniques. The company's team of programmers and digital artists develops custom augmented and virtual reality applications that respond to the unique characteristics of each historical environment. Their proprietary platform, TemporalLens, allows for the seamless overlay of historical imagery onto contemporary spaces, enabling visitors to experience multiple time periods in a single location. Additionally, Space Lumira has pioneered the use of biometric feedback systems that adjust the interpretive experience based on visitor engagement levels, ensuring that the historical narrative remains compelling and accessible. The company's mobile applications frequently incorporate gamification elements that encourage exploration and discovery, particularly appealing to younger audiences who might otherwise find traditional historical presentations less engaging. What truly sets Space Lumira apart, however, is its commitment to interdisciplinary approaches. The company maintains a diverse team of historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, architects, and education specialists who collaborate to create multifaceted interpretations of historical sites. This interdisciplinary methodology ensures that interpretations acknowledge the complexity of historical narratives and incorporate multiple perspectives. Space Lumira is particularly known for its work highlighting previously marginalized voices and experiences, developing programs that reveal the contributions of women, indigenous peoples, enslaved individuals, and other groups often overlooked in traditional historical accounts. Their award-winning "Unseen Lives" series has been implemented at sites across the country, revealing the hidden histories of servant quarters, work spaces, and community gathering places. Through its comprehensive course offerings, Space Lumira now shares its expertise with professionals in the heritage and tourism sectors. These courses range from introductory workshops on interpretive planning to advanced technical training in digital application development for historical contexts. The company's flagship certification program, which combines online learning with intensive on-site practicums, has become a sought-after credential for career advancement in museum studies and heritage management. Each year, Space Lumira hosts a major conference that brings together scholars, technologists, and practitioners to explore new frontiers in historical interpretation. These gatherings have become important forums for cross-disciplinary exchange and have sparked numerous collaborative projects that continue to advance the field. Today, Space Lumira stands at the forefront of reimagining how we connect with historical environments. The company continues to expand its research into emerging technologies, including haptic feedback systems that allow visitors to "feel" historical objects and environments, and AI-driven historical figures capable of responsive conversation. With ongoing projects across five continents and a growing influence on museology and heritage conservation practices, Space Lumira remains dedicated to its founding principle: that understanding our shared past is essential to navigating our collective future, and that this understanding is best fostered through experiences that engage all the senses and speak to diverse human experiences.