Washington, D.C.
History meets technology and public engagement at the Library of Congress Treasures Gallery in Washington D.C. The David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery stands as an interactive exhibit where artifacts are presented through modern audiovisual design. Ford AV provided the AV integration for this space, helping to turn one of the world’s most prestigious collections into a dynamic, public-facing experience.
A Modern Experience in a Historic Setting
The goal of this project was clear from the outset: to integrate advanced, flexible AV systems into a building constructed in 1897, without compromising its historical character. From the earliest design phase, Ford worked closely with exhibit designers, casework fabricators, and library staff to bring the gallery’s vision to life.
“That’s one of the joys of being able to work with the Library of Congress. To have a hand in creating something that invites people to experience history up close. Knowing our work helps bring these national treasures to life for the public is incredibly rewarding.”
— Ryan Campbell, Ford AV
Four major AV elements formed the foundation of the visitor experience: custom-fitted window projections, a six-station interactive collections table, personal audio modules, and a multi-screen home movie installation. Each element was designed to educate, inspire, and immerse visitors while maintaining the architectural and cultural integrity of the space.
Window Projection
Ten Digital Projection E-Vision 11000 4K projectors illuminate the historic windows of the Jefferson Building, turning once-static glass into vibrant storytelling canvases. Ford engineered customized screens to match the exact curvature and size of the original frames. These screens required precise installation and resolution-specific content formatting.
“We delivered something modern in a historically sensitive space. The Jefferson Building is architecturally stunning, so getting the projection to fit seamlessly into the original window frames required precision, creativity, and a lot of coordination.”
— Ryan Campbell, Ford AV
Collections Table
At the heart of the gallery sits a six-station interactive collections table that invites visitors to engage directly with the library’s holdings. Each station features a 10.1” digital label and a 21” interactive touchscreen (MIMO UM-1080-HOF and Elo touchscreens), offering digital access to stories, objects, and archival video.
Ford’s installation allows library staff to update content easily as exhibitions rotate, eliminating the need for costly or time-consuming physical signage replacement. Visitors can browse video, read historical context, and use personal audio headsets for an immersive and accessible experience.
Audio Modules
To deliver clear, personal sound without disturbing the quiet reverence of the gallery, Ford installed directional Soundtube IPD-TSB2.0 speakers and Molitor VIA induction headsets at key exhibit locations. These audio modules are seamlessly integrated into the exhibit rails, allowing for accessible, ADA-compliant, and individualized audio playback.
Careful sound zoning and hardware selection ensured that each visitor could engage with the content without contributing to ambient noise.
Home Movies
One of the gallery’s installations is the Home Movie Collection. Featuring six flush-mounted flat-panel displays and overhead directional speakers, this exhibit plays back curated selections from the library’s home movie archive.
The result is a powerful juxtaposition: everyday American lives presented alongside milestone historical documents like the Gettysburg Address or Lincoln’s pocket contents from the night of his assassination.
Continued Audiovisual Partnership
The Treasures Gallery at the Library of Congress is now more than a showcase; it’s a living experience. With immersive projection, adaptable interactivity, focused audio, and emotionally resonant media, the exhibit invites guests to see American history through both national milestones and personal moments.
The success of this gallery installation has earned praise from Library leadership. Ford was proud to help bring this space to life, blending historic preservation with forward-thinking technology in one of the country’s most treasured institutions.
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