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Screenshots from "Sounds of the Central Sierra," app for smart phones

Central Sierra Historical Society Launches Mobile App

SHAVER LAKE — The Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum has launched a new mobile app that offers visitors an inside look at their working exhibits. The app is called The Sounds of the Central Sierra and features interviews, photos, and videos, putting access to the museum and its inner workings all in the palm of your hand.

With the new technology the museum will share working exhibits that are currently only demonstrated once or twice a month during the summer months.

It’s the only museum in the world to feature a fully functional powerhouse exhibit that can generate electricity, they say, and now visitors will be able to learn more through the app and see a demonstration, even if they are unable to visit the museum. On their smart phones, people can learn more about the Dolbeer Steam Donkey exhibit, a well.

This is the first phase: as updates are made on the property, updates will be made to the app. Future additions include the restoration of the Hayden Sawmill and a nature trail.

You can download the app for free by searching “Sounds of the Central Sierra” in the app store for Google or Apple.

For those who plan to visit in person rather than virtually, a map of the property will help guide users through exhibits. Upon arrival at an exhibit, the app will allow them to access more content through GPS or by selecting an exhibit manually. They will be able to watch live videos of the exhibits in action, hear stories from docents, and even get a lesson in basket making and music from Carly Tex of the North Fork Mono Tribe.

“Whether it’s the hum of a generator in our powerhouse, bird calls, a Native American flute, or even the whistle on our steam donkey, this music has been the background of our area for many years and we are excited to share that with our visitors.”

The Central Sierra Historical Society was founded as a non-profit 501(c)3 in 1991 and the Museum of the Central Sierra opened its doors in 2007. The mission of the Central Sierra Historical Society is to enrich the cultural and educational experiences of visitors to the Sierra Nevada Mountains by deepening their understanding of the human and natural history of this area.

This app was made possible with a grant from the Central Valley Community Foundation and money raised from our annual dinner in 2016. Thank you to all of those that contributed their time and knowledge to help make this possible, including our volunteers that appear in the videos, students from Fresno State’s MCJ Multimedia Production Service that did all the filming and editing of the videos under the guidance of their instructor Candace Egan. The app was designed in collaboration with Orpheo Group.

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