Virtual Rosewood Featured at “Rosewood: The Road to Reparations” Event

On February 4, 2016 the Virtual Rosewood Project was featured at an event commemorating the individuals who assisted the Rosewood families attain compensation in the 1990s. The event, titled Rosewood: The Road to Reparations, was co-hosted by the Southern Legal Council and Three Rivers Legal Services. The guest speakers were Dr. Maxine D. Jones and Stephen F. Hanlon. Dr. Jones is a well-known historian who led the historical research resulting in the 1993 report on the destruction of Rosewood. Stephen Hanlon is a public interest lawyer who volunteered his time to represent the Rosewood survivors in the landmark 1994 decision awarding $2.1 million to these families.

Dr. Maxine Jones and Stephen Hanlon answer questions at the Rosewood: The Road to Reparations event.
Dr. Maxine Jones and Stephen Hanlon answer questions regarding Rosewood.

The Virtual Rosewood Project was featured prior to the event’s dinner and guest speakers. We showcased ongoing updates and discussed future improvements to the project. These improvements include more realistic 3D models, increased realism, and various forms of interactivity. The event also allowed us to share different ways of delivering virtual content. Attendees interacted with an updated version of the virtual world via a laptop (simultaneously projected on a screen), tablet, and VR goggles.

Experience the Rosewood virtual world with via laptops, overhead projectors, tablets, and VR goggles.
Future updates will allow users to Experience Rosewood via laptops, tablets, and VR goggles.
Ed Gonzalez-Tennant and event attendees discuss Virtual Rosewood.
Ed Gonzalez-Tennant and event attendees discuss Virtual Rosewood.

You can preview this upgraded version below, which re-creates the same view experienced by attendees via VR goggles. We updated the previous version of the virtual world (which went live in 2011) with a handful of visual improvements. The final 2.0 version (to be titled Rosewood) will have the feel of a video game in terms of interactivity and graphics while providing a sensitive treatment regarding the tragic history of Rosewood.

The virtual world was well-received by the event’s attendees. The highlight for me was sharing a table with Dr. Jones and Stephen Hanlon. Although I only spoke with them briefly, listening to them discuss Rosewood’s relationship to other events was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. I am very grateful to Southern Legal Council and Three Rivers Legal Services for inviting us to participate.

Thanks for reading and make sure to check back often. The coming weeks will be busy as we announce a fundraising campaign to support our work.
Sincerely,
Ed Gonzalez-Tennant