Ball State’s IDIA Lab Uses Digital Tools to Bring Muncie’s Past Into the Present

bsu.edu Sep 20, 2026

Ball State’s IDIA Lab Uses Digital Tools to Bring Muncie’s Past Into the Present

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA) Lab is leveraging augmented reality and web redevelopment to make Muncie’s historical assets more accessible. At the Oct. 1 ArtsWalk, the “Echoes of Muncie” AR experience lets visitors view 3D reconstructions of five downtown landmarks—including the Wysor Grand Opera House, the former Delaware County Courthouse, the Rivoli Theatre and the Ball Stores—overlaid on their current locations via a smartphone app. The project, funded by Muncie Downtown Development, the Ball Brothers Foundation and other partners, expands a prior launch that featured three buildings. In parallel, the IDIA Lab rebuilt the “What Middletown Read” digital database, originally created from 2003 library circulation ledgers, restoring its searchable functionality after the legacy site became obsolete. Both initiatives aim to deepen community engagement with local history through modern digital tools.

💡 Why It Matters

· By turning static archives into interactive experiences, the IDIA Lab transforms everyday public spaces into living museums, fostering a tangible connection between residents and their city’s heritage.

AR/VR Capsules

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