FREE
Before it was an art museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s historical building showcased ingenuity through the display of thousands of patent models. Known as a “temple of invention,” it was a place for ideas and exploration, creativity and change. Through this AR game, produced by Smartify and supported by AT&T, visitors will meet some of the fascinating people—including inventors, soldiers, poets, artists, and architects—who walked the halls, and experience key moments such as Clara Barton tending to wounded Civil War soldiers, President Abraham Lincoln’s raucous second inaugural ball, and a disastrous fire in 1877 that destroyed thousands of patent models.
Play the game on your own or with family and friends to collect cogs, restore the heart of the temple, and see how this building is still a place where invention and innovation are celebrated.
Recommended for families and elementary school-age children. Registration encouraged; walk-ins welcome on a limited basis. A government ID (ages 18+) is required to reserve a device. Please note the number of devices you are requesting on the reservation form.
The game is available for a limited time, through May 16, 2024. Sign up today!
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Temple of Invention AR Experience
Discover Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Temple of Invention Augmented Reality Experience. Curious about how it all works? Find out how history comes alive in this new augmented reality experience.
No, The Temple of Invention Augmented Reality Experience is free of charge. A government ID must be provided to check out an AR device to participate in the experience.
The experience is open to all and is recommended for families with elementary school-age children. It’s great for history lovers, museum visitors, architecture fans, and anyone who likes online games.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance, although walk-ins are welcome on a limited basis. The experience is free of charge. Game devices are distributed only to individuals 18+ and a government issued ID is required. An adult may check out a device for a child. Up to two devices may be checked out per ID. The experience includes extended periods of holding a device and activating game elements on more than one level of the Luce Center. An elevator is available.
You can register by clicking on your preferred date in the registration link above.
The experience is available from April 18 through May 16, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m. The last reservation is at 4:15 p.m. It takes place at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, located at 8th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20004, on the third floor in SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center.
It is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the world, providing a composite view. For the AR game at SAAM, visitors use a dedicated device to scan spaces in its Luce Center to see animations and to interact with the game.
Start at the information desk in SAAM’s Luce Center to check out an AR device. You must be at least 18 years old to check out a device. Scan around the space using the devices to activate the AR that includes animated people and scenes. The goal of the game is to collect all the cogs to repair the temple. After the experience, return the device to the information desk to retrieve your ID.
The experience brings history to life, showcasing the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s historical building’s past as a “temple of invention.” Through the AR game, you will meet fascinating people who walked the halls and discover stories behind its many uses. The game involves collecting cogs to restore the heart of the temple.
The game has closed captions for visitors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. A visual description script is available on request for low-vision visitors. A limited number of headphones are available upon request.
Expect to spend about 45 minutes with the game for the complete experience.
No, the app is not available for public download and can only be used on authorized Smithsonian devices. Please enjoy the experience while on site.
Please email SAAMLuce@si.edu if you experience any issues during registration.
Please approach one of the helpful staff members at the Luce Foundation Center information desk. They are happy to assist you!
Due to the limited number of devices available, all devices must be returned at the end of their reservation time. A buffer of extra time has been built into all reservation times to accommodate for some lateness or technical difficulties. We do ask that you plan to arrive at your reservation’s start time.
Learn more about the history of SAAM’s historical building, the Old Patent Office Building, on our website or through this audio guide. An illustrated book Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark is available for purchase online and in the museum store.