Portland History

Rivers, Roses, and Resilience

Sticky Culture collaborated with the Oregon Historical Society to design and develop interactive experiences that bring Portland’s stories to life. Through educational games, interactive maps, and multimedia storytelling, we created opportunities for visitors to engage with the city’s history in playful and meaningful ways.

Our Approach

The Portland History exhibit is designed to encourage exploration and connection. Each interactive element was crafted to meet the goals of accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement, offering visitors of all ages and backgrounds new ways to discover Portland’s rich cultural heritage. By blending art, technology, and storytelling, we ensured that each interaction is intuitive, inspiring, and rooted in the exhibit’s broader narrative.

Features

Stumptown Stumpers: A trivia game that turns learning into playful competition. Visitors test their knowledge of Portland’s quirks, unlocking bonus content and earning encouragement from a charming Sasquatch mascot. The game’s vintage-inspired visuals and answers embedded throughout the exhibit deepen engagement and reward curiosity.

“Where We Live” Interactive Map: A large interactive map invites visitors to tap into 40 cultural landmarks. Photos and hidden histories appear with every touch, providing a deeper connection to Portland’s geography and cultural milestones.

Community Culture iPads: Tablets near themed caseworks like Sports, Cycling, and the Arts let visitors explore Portland’s cultural stories in depth. Featuring photos, videos, and narratives, these iPads provide additional context, enriching the artifacts’ themes and enhancing engagement.

Object Theater: Light and sound bring five river-related artifacts to life, including a sternwheeler model and a bridge bell. Visitors activate brief narrations by pressing buttons, revealing each artifact’s historical significance and its connection to Portland’s waterways.

Impact

The Portland History exhibit engages visitors through its interactive experiences. Stumptown Stumpers alone achieves a dwell time of 3.5 minutes—exceeding the museum industry standard of 1–2 minutes per interactive. These experiences transform Portland’s history into a series of discoveries that resonate with diverse audiences, making the past feel both approachable and exciting.