America 250 AR Art & History Tour Jersey City is a first-of-its-kind immersive experience in Jersey City, created by Trish Gianakis, that brings history to life through augmented reality. Visitors can explore interactive experiences and artworks by scanning QR codes with their smartphones, no app required.
Launched July 4, 2026, the Statue of Liberty History Tour and AR art exhibition.
Using their mobile phone, visitors can explore a 360-degree crown view, uncover the history and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, and listen to Emma Lazarus’s iconic 1883 poem, The New Colossus, engraved on the monument’s pedestal.
The art exhibition, titled “Echoes of Freedom,” is a year-long international AR art exhibition featuring curated digital works by contemporary artists exploring themes of freedom, democracy, immigration, and identity. Works will appear virtually at Liberty State Park, starting at Liberty Terminal and extending to Black Tom Island along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, a 2-mile path, all viewable on mobile devices via QR code activation on an interactive map. Scroll down for project QR codes.
QR Codes to launch each activation
The Statue of Liberty History Tour
The Statue of Liberty history tour and 360-degree crown view with augmented reality built on Hololink. This immersive experience lets viewers explore the monument’s scale, step into a 360° crown view, discover its history, symbolism, and enduring message of freedom and hope.
Echoes of Freedom AR Art Exhibition
International augmented reality art exhibition at Liberty State Park featuring contemporary artists whose works respond to themes of freedom, history, and environmental presence. The exhibition is a year-long on-site-promoted exhibition at Liberty State Park. Built on Illust.Space.
Saint Peter’s University’s 150 Years
Inspired by Saint Peter’s 150-year history, this immersive augmented reality experience reflects the Sesquicentennial’s mission. Built on the Zapworks Education Plan.
The Apple Tree House (Van Wagenen House), Museum of Jersey City
Museum of Jersey City: legend and documented history surrounding Washington and Lafayette’s presence in Jersey City. This activation blends scholarship with layered storytelling.
The Battle of Paulus Hook (1779), Paulus Hook Monument, Jersey City
Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee leads the strategic movement, tension, and the significance of this pivotal Jersey City event within the broader struggle for independence.
How It Works
At each historic site, visitors scan a QR code to activate a custom augmented reality experience on their mobile device using augmented reality.
Through layered visuals, participants encounter:
- Reconstructed historical moments
- Immersive digital storytelling
- Site-responsive virtual art installations
Site Experiences
The Battle of Paulus Hook (1779)
An immersive AR reconstruction of the Revolutionary War raid led by Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee. Visitors witness strategic movement, military tension, and the significance of this pivotal Jersey City event within the larger struggle for independence.
The Apple Tree House (Van Wagenen House, Museum of Jersey City)
A visual narrative exploring the Revolutionary-era legend of Washington and Lafayette meeting beneath the apple tree. This activation blends documented history with layered storytelling, honoring both scholarship and community memory.
The Statue of Liberty
An interpretive AR experience exploring freedom, immigration, and evolving American identity. The work bridges past and present—connecting Revolutionary ideals to contemporary civic life.
Saint Peter’s University 150-Year Timeline
A dynamic AR timeline honoring the institution’s legacy, educational impact, and Jesuit values. The experience makes the university’s history visible in physical space through interactive visual storytelling.
Echoes of Freedom, Liberty State Park AR Art Exhibition
A curated outdoor augmented reality exhibition featuring contemporary artists whose works respond to themes of freedom, history, and environmental presence. This activation positions Liberty State Park as both a historic landmark and a living cultural space.
Technology & Innovation
Mobile-based augmented reality
QR activation system
Layered animation and visual reconstruction
AI-assisted voiceover integration
Archival image layering
Spatial storytelling design
The project demonstrates how emerging technology can responsibly interpret historic sites while preserving physical environments.
Partnerships & Support
Echoes of Freedom began as a research initiative connected to America 250 and continues to grow through community interest and cultural partnerships.
The project welcomes collaboration and support with:
• Saint Peter’s University Through a Fellowship Grant
• Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs
• Liberty State Park | Urban State Parks & Initiatives
• Balanced Forces for helping curate the art exhibition
• Illust.Space for hosting the AR experiences on their AR platform.
• Hololink AR platform for Statue of Liberty Experience
Fill out the fields below to contact and become a partner.
VOTE for the Project on Artizen
You can support Echoes of Freedom by clicking on this link at Artizen.Fund.
- Voting
- Donating
- Sharing
- Sponsoring a site activation
- Partnering as an institutional collaborator
A Scalable Model for Public XR
Echoes of Freedom is not only a Jersey City initiative — it is a replicable model for:
- City-based AR heritage tours
- University-community collaborations
- Public park digital exhibitions
- XR-driven civic storytelling
The project positions Jersey City at the forefront of public immersive art.