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Town's history brought to life through VR goggles

Luke Dealin Ipswich
News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Two brightly coloured binoculars, with purple tops on blue stands, by a waterfront. They are facing in different directions. The water and building behind them is slightly blurred. John Fairhall/BBC
The brightly coloured binoculars are free to use

A town's Victorian past is being brought back to life through virtual reality binoculars.

Six augmented and virtual reality goggles have been installed at historic venues across Ipswich to allow users to view free images and sounds from 1895.

People will be able to see a mix of "innovation and tradition" that characterise the era, including digitised images of gas-lit streets, markets, electric trams and working docks, Ipswich Borough Council said.

Neil MacDonald, its Labour leader, hopes it gets people into the town who will then stay and spend money in shops, cafes and pubs.

News imageIpswich Maritime Trust A black and white image of three barges at Stoke Bridge. Steam is coming out a funnel on one of the barges, men are working on the barges and there is a bridge, with people walking across it and a steam engine on it. Buildings are to the left. There is a large body of water. Ipswich Maritime Trust
News imageIpswich Maritime Trust A black and white image of Ipswich Cornhill showing trams, tram marks, people walking about, a number of buildings all around the trams and awnings. Ipswich Maritime Trust
Gipping barges at Stoke Bridge in 1895
The images show the trams that used to run in the centre of Ipswich on the Cornhill

The photos were chosen from 3,000 images from the Ipswich Maritime Trust's archive.

Members of the trust alongside the Historic Town's Trust and Tourist Guide association contributed to the project.

The binoculars have different themes and can be found at:

  • Christchurch Park – 1,000 Years of Tranquillity
  • Ipswich Cornhill – Heart of a Victorian Town
  • Buttermarket – Centuries of Trade and Street Life
  • Paul's Silo – The Head of the Dock
  • Customs House – Gateway to a Thriving Port
  • James Hehir Building – Site of Medieval Shipbuilding
News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Stuart Grimwade, standing outside, wearing a black coat and scarf, he has on glasses and short grey hair. He has a building behind him and binoculars on two stands with purple tops. John Fairhall/BBC
Stuart Grimwade, from Ipswich Maritime Trust, selected the locations in the town

'Fascinating'

Stuart Grimwade, creator of the Ipswich Maritime Trust's image archive, said: "Ipswich is fortunate that in Victorian times there were local pioneer photographers whose early images have survived to give us a window on their world, so that we can use them now in digital ways that they couldn't have imagined.

"Teaching history to bring it to life is the way forward.

"When I was at school it was just learning fact, now you can use images in an exciting and fascinating way."

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Neil MacDonald standing outside by a waterfront, by a pair of purple binoculars, he is looking slight off to the camera, with glasses on and a top with a jacket over the top. He has a bald head, with grey hair at the sides. Boats are behind him and several buildings. John Fairhall/BBC
Neil MacDonald said the project highlighted some of the most "iconic locations in Ipswich"

MacDonald said: "We're trying to put in some money into things that will make people come into town and stay in town.

"It just keeps people here and there's a fair chance people will go onto to spend some money in some local hostelries, local cafes or shops."

The project is part of the Digital Ipswich programme, which was delivered by the authority with financial support from the government's Towns Fund.

It follows other initiatives including a portal in the town centre which gives people a live link-up to other locations around the world.

An interactive map showing the binoculars' locations is available online.

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