Project Title: Sunken Treasures: The World War II Aircraft of Lake Michigan 

Museum/ Institution: National Naval Aviation Museum 

 Program Created: n/a   

Media Category: Immersive Environments/Object Theater 

Program URL (if available): http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=sunkentreasures  

Project Image(s) and/or Video

Media Source(s)/Credit(s): Personal photographs

Program Description: (150-250 words)

Sunken Treasures: The World War II Aircraft of Lake Michigan, also titled Treasures of Lake Michigan, is an immersive theater within the National Naval Aviation Museum. The Naval Aviation museum has numerous object theaters throughout the main section of the museum and even in the newer hanger bay. The other theaters include a mock "ready room" within an aircraft carrier exhibit, a USO/Bob Hope exhibit and theater, and a Pacific front theater within an exhibit. Treasures of Lake Michigan is the largest of the immersive theaters, with the theater room housing two World War Two era aircraft, and vintage plane/theater seats. The aircraft present in the room are a F4F Wildcat and a SBD Dauntless. Both planes are original and pulled from Lake Michigan. During World War Two, the United States Navy was doing aviation training over the Great Lakes and lost numerous planes in the process. The film, which is only twelve minutes long and partnered with the History Channel, is about the planes in the room and how they were retrieved from Lake Michigan. In order to get the effect that the planes are underwater, filtered lighting is projected onto the planes; in addition, audio is used to give the submersive feel.   

Firsthand or secondary review/critique: (150-250 words) 

While the Treasures of Lake Michigan is the biggest of the immersive theaters in the Naval Aviation museum, my favorite theater is the aircraft carrier "ready room." The "ready room" offers a more intimate feel to the theater experience, because it is in a smaller setting with better lighting and props.  Flight suits, radio equipment, navigation tools, and plane seating all make up the tightly compacted "ready room." Red warning lights also give the theater a more immersive feel, as if you are a naval aviator prepping for his next mission. While Treasures of Lake Michigan houses two vintage aircraft, the theater room is too large and bare to provide visitors with an intimate feel. In addition to the aircraft, seating, and theater screen, the theater room also has a few artifacts in display cases, but the room has way too much empty space. The emptiness feeling was the only issue I had with Treasures of Lake Michigan, in general the video and over all premise of the theater is a great exhibit within the museum.

Technologies incorporated: Video, audio, theater design

 Internally or externally produced: Internally and Externally

Entry Contributor and Date: Caroline Rohe, February 8, 2015

Related projects: n/a