Interactive - "Richmond on Fire"

This article appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch today

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifes...r-plans-interactive-richmond-fire-ar-1643720/

It sounds interesting and I am curious to see the end result. I am not so sure about the plan to fire a cannon every day at noon to "remind Richmond that we are the gateway of the Civil War and a place to visit." I think Richmonders are well aware of that and after awhile, the cannon noise will fade into the background as people become accustomed to the sound. Plus, downtown Richmond is noisy, I am not sure the sound of the cannon will carry very far.

The question I pose is, how do you feel about interactive exhibits such as the one described in the article? Do they enhance your understanding or are they a distraction? Personally, I do not mind them if they are done well. Pamplin's interactive battlefield comes to mind as an excellent interactive exhibit. However, I can see where some see the problem with such exhibits if the purpose is to do the thinking for you.

Chuck

IMHO...
I agree that when they are well done, interactive exhibits will enhance understanding of a given time frame, event or location, but I also believe that unless one has an interest in the subject (even a fleeting interest), they won't take anything additional away from the experience...
Not sure about firing the cannon daily...maybe on Saturdays only? Too much of a good thing (and cannons being fired is a really good thing) takes away from it being special.
All that being said, I'd be interested in taking a trip to Richmond to check things out (it sounds pretty cool)

It seems the firing of the cannon could draw spectators, travelers, tourists, etc. Civil war buffs would like to watch
this type of event.

Mulejack

I think the cannon fire is a good idea. It could become like a town quirk or tradition. I lived on an Army Post for 5 years and you definitely get used to random explosions somewhere in the distance.