Mar 1st, 2004 - Prospective visitors around the world soon will be able to take a virtual tour of Deadwood, all from the privacy of their own home or office, according to the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.
“Imagine being able to sit down in your pajamas in the comfort of your own den, logging on to the internet, and discovering the history and mystery of Deadwood,” said Jim Wilson, Historic Preservation Officer. “This is one of the most exciting new tools we’ve ever explored to tell Deadwood’s story to millions of potential visitors around the globe.”
Developed by Deadwood-based TDG Communications, Digital Deadwood will encourage arm-chair travelers to take a virtual tour of Deadwood’s historic Main Street, visit attractions such as the Adams Museum & House, the Days of ’76 Museum and Mt. Moriah Cemetery, or walk in the doorways of any business in town and be instantly connected with that establishment’s website.
Among the features planned for Digital Deadwood are chat rooms, time portals and history quests that combine social interaction, education about the history of Deadwood’s landmarks, and entertainment options that include gaming and quests that may involve bank robberies, gold mining and gunfights, according to TDG Vice
President Nyla Griffith.
“Last year, 140 million Americans traveled in the U.S. and 68 percent of them used the internet to plan their vacations,” Griffith said. “It seems only natural that Deadwood dedicate the resources necessary to develop a sophisticated web presence that
allows prospective visitors to become familiar with this National Historic
Landmark and all it has to offer.”
Wilson noted that the Historic Preservation Commission hopes to have Digital Deadwood on-line in March, just as HBO launches its new series called “Deadwood.”
