A Look Back at Museumscapes
Circa 2004 - 2006

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For a number of years this was Museumscapes website. Museumscapes offered concept design and narrative development, interpretation, artifact display, graphic design and layout, technology and interactive media, architectural adaptation, immersive environments, video, sound and special effects, exhibit text writing and editing, production, and installation.

Content is from the site's 2004 - 2006 archived pages.

The new owners of this domain have chosen to keep the memory of Museumscapes alive by creating an edited version of the original content as well as the use of other outside sources. Kudos to Druce Reiley and the talented folks of Museumscapes and BWC Creative.

At Museumscape, our creative team of artists, designers and fabricators understand that in a world of competing entertainment options, a successful exhibit has to grab its share of attention...and hold it.

We create original, visually exciting exhibits that educate with an engaging visual style - all while accurately incorporating scientific and historical content.

 

Editor's Note: Although it never came to fruition, I have felt the need for a museum to document the online experience, not of any specific kind of art, but the actual experiences provided by the web - good and bad. One such focus should be on big data, especially Google. The good is the convenience of knowledge at your fingertips. The bad, on the other hand is a much more interesting topic, and the museum documenting this should have many examples of things like the monopolistic successes of search and YouTube. But even more compelling would be to document the damage done to individuals and companies by Google's search results. There are thousands of examples. The most obvious would be the revelation of negative private information, whether it be revealing past misdeeds, bad reviews, product failures, scams, and false narratives that destroy reputations. Along these lines we would include the industries that arose to profit from the problems Google created, such as the online reputation management services, and the search engine optimization services that attempt to manipulate Google's search results to favor not just products, but to change the search results to limit the damage of harmful results. We spoke to the people behind the website imfy.us, which gave us insight into both the problems and the arcane solutions they provide. Then there are the organizations, like Regulate Google Now! that attempt to convince lawmakers to compel Google to enable victims to change the harmful results. The Museum of Google is bound to happen someday, but the idea first crossed the desk at museumscapes.net long before it became a reality.

 

American Airpower Heritage Museum

The American Airpower Heritage Museum houses 40,000 square feet of "hands-on" permanent exhibits that detail the story of World War II airpower. From the rise of Japanese and German militarism before World War II, to the introduction of the Atomic age, the AAHM provides interactive exhibits that illustrate aviation concepts and events from every theater of the war.

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Druce Reiley, DAAP ’75, was the director and principal of Museumscape and and BWC Creative between September 1996 to November 2013. The company's clients included New Mexico Museum of Natural History in Albuquerque, the Coronado National Forest in Tucson and the Dallas Museum of Natural History.

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Dr Pepper Museum: W.W. "Foots" Clemens
MUSEUMSCAPES | Published on Jul 1, 2008
The 3rd floor of the Dr.Pepper Museum is home to the W.W. "Foots" Clements Free Enterprise Institute and a new exhibit honoring "Foots" (Dr.Pepper Salesman and CEO 1935-1980). It is a celebration of the contributions he made to the Dr.Pepper company as well as the Free Enterprise System of Economics, and a wonderful place to learn more about Dr.Pepper! The exhibit features a hologram of "Foots" inside a 1930's general store, three monumental Dr. Pepper style cans that feature video of "Foots", narrative panels on his life, two free interactive games, and "Foots" office. The exhibit opened in May of 2008.

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BWC Creative

BWC Creative created not only the Logo Design, Business Card Design, Stationery Design, Brochure Design, Printing for Museumscapes, but also their Website Design.

South location Main Phone Number 214.528.4200
North location Main Phone Number 972.231.0002
Current website: http://bwccreative.com/Home.htm

Welcome to BWC Photo Imaging. We are widely recognized as a leading provider of visual communications and creative marketing products. For over 30 years BWC has been trusted by professional photographers, art directors, marketing specialists, corporate sales personnel, display designers and in-house production departments. Our skilled staff and advanced equipment allow us to offer a wide range of photographic and digital services to meet your ever changing and demanding needs of on-time quality products.

Today, our service portfolio includes everything from online digital camera print services to trade show exhibits, creative services, asset management services, in-store décor and POP materials. We design, produce and fulfill your complete merchandising requirements. We custom print on fabric, vinyl, backlit, metallic and photo archival paper. We cater to the retail, corporate client as well as the professional commercial, wedding, event or sports pro-shooter.

Please take a moment to tour our site, as we are always updating with new information.

BWC, a leader for over 29 years in Professional quality Photographic and Digital Output services, now provides a proven and reliable, easy-to-use system of services. Film and Digital Photographers will be able to take advantage of the business opportunities of Digital Photography without the big expense.

BWC NETPHOTO is a partnership of technology and service combined to provide you with tools, support and products for increased photographic sales using the internet. The following umbrella of products is designed to give you increased control of your photographs. You can chose as little or as much of the services you need. You now have the opportunity to organize and manage your images with customizable software applications, sell your photographs on the Internet from your own private secure Store Front.

Our new E-Z ordering browser offers you convenience, security and savings! Upload your images, view and select sizes and quantities, choose delivery method, then pay with your credit card online. Our 4x6 print prices start at .29 each; 5x7 prints start at .75 each. Orders are delivered via first class mail or overnight to the address of your choice. With no special software to download, a fast and easy-to-use up-loader, and the best prices on the internet, try our GREAT photographic quality prints from your digital camera. 
 

 

BWC NETPHOTO LIST OF PRODUCTS

• BWCD First Look Pro Scans
• BWC Preview Pro Software
• Fuji Studio Master Software
• StoreFrontPhoto.com
• BWC NET PHOTO Print Services
• On Line Gallery Photographer Referral

BWC provides professional photographers, who are qualified customers of BWC Photo Imaging the extra benefits of film processing and proofs. The BWCNetPhoto customer can chose the software package, print services, and the level of online sales products that best suites their needs.

To signup for BWC Net Photo services, you will need to complete the online Photographer PROfile, and account application. Once this is received and reviewed we will provide you with the new account information, pricing agreements, software licenses and set-up system access passwords. For our present BWC customers, you will also have to complete a PROfile and the STOREFRONTPHOTOS application.

 

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More Background On Museumscapes.net

 

Museumscapes.net was a specialized exhibit-design and interpretive development website active primarily during the early to mid-2000s. It represented Museumscapes, a multidisciplinary creative practice focused on producing museum exhibits, immersive environments, interactive displays, educational content, and historically accurate interpretive narratives for cultural institutions throughout the United States. The company developed a strong reputation for crafting visually compelling, scientifically accurate, and deeply engaging museum experiences, often integrating architecture, multimedia, fabrication, and storyline-driven design.

Although Museumscapes is no longer active under its original structure, and the original website no longer operates in its historical form, the domain today serves as a curated homage to the legacy of the creative team—preserving archival excerpts, case studies, and historical descriptions of their work. The editorial note on the domain also expands on speculative ideas around digital culture, data power, and the potential for a “Museum of Google,” reinforcing the original team’s interest in interpretive storytelling about technology and social impact.

To understand Museumscapes.net is to examine the evolution of a niche but highly impactful company that helped museums and cultural institutions adapt to new expectations during a period of rapid technological transformation. From 2004 to 2006 in particular, the firm’s online presence showcased its multidisciplinary approach—merging artistic imagination with scientific accuracy and sophisticated technical production.

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Ownership and Leadership

At the center of Museumscapes was Druce Reiley, a designer and creative director with a background in exhibit development, thematic design, and interdisciplinary art direction. Reiley—who graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) program in 1975—served as director and principal between 1996 and 2013. Under his leadership, Museumscapes grew into a respected regional and national contributor to museum exhibition projects.

The company operated in close partnership with BWC Creative, a Dallas-based design and imaging firm responsible for Museumscapes’ branding, graphic design, marketing collateral, and original website development. BWC Creative’s broad technical capabilities—including photography, printing, layout, and display fabrication—aligned naturally with Museumscapes’ needs for museum-quality graphic panels, exhibit signage, interpretive text layouts, and large-format visual elements.

Museumscapes leveraged a team that included not only designers and fabricators but also historians, writers, scientists, artists, media technicians, and builders—reflecting the multifaceted nature of exhibition design.

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Location and Operational Presence

Museumscapes operated primarily from Texas, collaborating with institutions across the Southwest and broader United States. Their geographic proximity to historically rich natural landscapes, national parks, and culturally significant regions shaped the types of projects they engaged with—such as environmental museums, natural history institutions, and regional heritage centers.

The company’s presence extended well beyond local venues, working with organizations in:

• New Mexico

• Arizona

• Texas

• The broader Southwest

• Select national museums and specialty institutions

This regional distribution positioned Museumscapes as a partner deeply familiar with Western and Southwestern history—particularly Indigenous cultures, frontier history, ecology, geology, and airpower heritage—while also remaining flexible and capable of serving broader national themes.

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Mission, Goals, and Creative Philosophy

Museumscapes’ central goal was to create original, visually exciting exhibits that engaged visitors through meaningful narrative, striking visuals, and layered interpretation. Their creative philosophy emphasized:

Interpretive storytelling

Museumscapes believed exhibits should not simply display artifacts—they should tell stories that spark curiosity, explain context, and encourage deeper learning. The company placed heavy emphasis on narrative structure, thematic progression, and clarity of interpretive writing.

Accuracy and academic integrity

While visually compelling design was essential, Museumscapes also prioritized rigor. Exhibits needed to incorporate accurate scientific, cultural, and historical content. The team often collaborated with subject-matter experts to ensure authenticity.

Immersive environments

Museumscapes specialized in designing spaces that transported visitors into historical worlds, ecological landscapes, or cultural environments. Techniques included:

• large-scale murals

• environmental set design

• reconstructed architectural elements

• dioramas

• atmospheric lighting, sound, and multimedia effects

Interactive learning and technology

Recognizing early shifts in visitor expectations, Museumscapes integrated:

• touchscreen interactives

• video installations

• holographic storytelling elements

• motion-triggered audio

• dynamic projection environments

These innovations positioned the company as an early adopter of multimedia-driven educational design.

Fabrication excellence

The team didn’t only conceptualize exhibits—they also built and installed them. This unified conception-through-installation process ensured consistency in quality and vision.

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Popularity, Reputation, and Industry Standing

During its active years, Museumscapes built a strong reputation within the museum ecosystem. Its popularity stemmed from:

Consistent delivery of high-quality work

The company’s long-term partnerships with respected institutions showed trust and reliability.

Innovative use of multimedia

At a time when many museums were first exploring digital displays, Museumscapes was already integrating interactive technology.

Skilled interdisciplinary teams

Their ability to blend artistry, craftsmanship, writing, and technical engineering made them a valuable partner for museums that lacked internal exhibit development capacity.

High-profile projects

Museumscapes engaged with historically significant institutions, large-scale museums, and culturally impactful exhibits—enhancing its industry visibility.

Although the company was not a consumer-facing brand, its influence was recognized within museum circles, exhibit design communities, and professional networks dedicated to education and heritage interpretation.

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Notable Projects and Case Studies

Museumscapes worked on dozens of large and small projects, but several stand out for their scope, innovation, and cultural significance.

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American Airpower Heritage Museum

One of Museumscapes’ most ambitious projects was its work with the American Airpower Heritage Museum, which housed more than 40,000 square feet of immersive WWII exhibits.

Key features included:

• “hands-on” interactive components

• historical timelines

• aviation-themed displays

• immersive environments recreating wartime settings

• multimedia installations detailing global conflict zones

The exhibits covered the rise of Axis militarism, the development of Allied airpower, and the technological advances that shaped mid-20th-century warfare. Museumscapes’ contributions helped transform complex military history into accessible, engaging, and visually compelling experiences.

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Museum of the Big Bend (Sul Ross State University)

A significant milestone project was the multi-year development of exhibits for the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas. The project included:

• 5,000 square feet of newly developed exhibits

• monumental murals

• geological and natural landscape recreations

• touchscreen interactives

• documentary video installations

• interpretive graphic panels

• rockwork reconstructing desert environments

The grand opening in 2007 marked the culmination of a five-year collaboration involving concept design, narrative development, fabrication, and installation.

The museum explored:

• Indigenous history

• Spanish exploration

• ranching culture

• geological formations

• natural habitats

• regional folklore and identity

This project exemplified Museumscapes’ ability to synthesize environmental storytelling with academic research and artistic production.

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Dr Pepper Museum: W.W. “Foots” Clements Exhibit

In 2008, Museumscapes completed a technologically innovative exhibit honoring W.W. “Foots” Clements, a legendary Dr Pepper salesman and later CEO. The exhibit included:

• a hologram of Clements presented inside a recreated 1930s general store

• monumental Dr Pepper-branded video installations

• immersive display elements and period architecture

• interactive games teaching free-enterprise concepts

• interpretive signage tracing Clements’ career

• a recreation of Clements’ personal office

This project blended nostalgia, corporate history, and experiential storytelling, and demonstrated Museumscapes’ growing focus on multimedia integration.

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Historical Timeline of Museumscapes.net

A reconstructed timeline based on available archives and public records suggests the following evolution:

1996–2000: Foundation and early development

• Museumscape (later Museumscapes) is founded by Druce Reiley.

• Focus centers on natural history museums and regional heritage exhibits.

• The company develops a reputation for high-quality environmental set design.

2001–2004: Growth and expanded capabilities

• Website launches as Museumscapes.net.

• New partnerships form with museums in the Southwest and Midwest.

• Company begins implementing early digital interactives.

2004–2006: Peak years represented on the website

• Projects grow more technologically sophisticated.

• Museumscapes expands multimedia production capabilities.

• Website showcases detailed project portfolios and expanded service offerings.

2007–2008: High-profile national projects

• Museum of the Big Bend exhibit opens.

• Dr Pepper Museum “Foots Clements” hologram exhibit debuts.

• Museumscapes gains wider recognition for integrating technology and narrative.

2009–2013: Transition period

• Internal restructuring and eventual integration of operations into other creative entities.

• The original Museumscapes company winds down active production.

Post-2013: Preservation of domain

• Museumscapes.net becomes a curated archival space, preserving historical content.

• Editorial commentary expands to broader cultural topics, including technology and online ecosystems.

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Audience and Users of Museumscapes.net

During its active years, the website served multiple audiences:

Museum administrators

Looking for end-to-end exhibition development services.

Curators and content specialists

Seeking interpretive writing, storyline development, and artifact contextualization.

Architects and exhibit planners

Collaborating on spatial and environmental design.

Educators

Relying on Museumscapes for exhibits that aligned with pedagogy and learning objectives.

Cultural institutions and historical sites

Needing interpretive signage, environmental sets, and visitor-experience design.

Government agencies and parks

Requiring educational displays for natural resources, conservation, and heritage interpretation.

The website functioned as a portfolio, client resource, and informational hub for prospective partners.

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Branding, Design, and Visual Identity

BWC Creative designed the Museumscapes logo, brand identity, business cards, stationery, brochures, and original website. Their contributions included:

• clean, modern typography

• warm, earthy color palettes typical of museum environments

• high-quality photography and backlit display imagery

• professional print production

• integration of large-format graphic capabilities

The aesthetic reflected Museumscapes’ commitment to blending artistic beauty with educational depth.

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Cultural and Social Significance of Museumscapes

Museumscapes contributed to museum culture during a period of major transition for the industry. Its significance lies in several key areas:

Pioneering early interactive and digital museum technology

Before touchscreen kiosks, holographic narrators, and immersive projection mapping became industry standards, Museumscapes was already experimenting with multimedia.

Supporting regional museums often overlooked by large firms

By working with institutions in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, the company helped smaller museums achieve world-class exhibit quality.

Preserving local heritage

Many of Museumscapes’ projects focused on:

• ecological conservation

• Indigenous history

• frontier narratives

• aviation heritage

• regional cultural identity

Blending creativity with academic rigor

Their exhibits balanced scientific accuracy with visual storytelling—an approach that influenced many modern museum practices.

Promoting narrative as an educational tool

Museumscapes helped demonstrate that strong narrative structure could enhance visitor engagement and retention.

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Press and Media Coverage

Museumscapes received attention from:

• regional newspapers reporting on museum openings

• university communications offices

• tourism boards and regional tourism publications

• niche museum industry media platforms

• press releases distributed through PR channels

Media coverage often emphasized the immersive quality of exhibits, the integration of technology, and the successful collaborative processes with museum staff and stakeholders.

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Website Structure and Features

Based on archive snapshots, Museumscapes.net featured:

Homepage introduction

A description of services, mission, and design philosophy.

Portfolio section

Showcasing photographs, descriptions, and technical notes on past projects.

Services breakdown

Covering:

• exhibit concept design

• interpretive text development

• artifact display cases and layout

• environmental set construction

• architectural adaptation

• video and sound integration

• installation and fabrication

• interactive media programming

Team and bios

Highlighting the creative and production staff.

Contact and inquiry forms

Allowing institutions to request proposals or consultations.

Press and news archives

Sharing project announcements, openings, and completed installations.

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The “Museum of Google” Concept and Legacy Commentary

One of the unique elements preserved on the modern Museumscapes.net is an editorial reflection on digital culture—specifically, the idea of creating a museum dedicated to the history and impact of Google. This speculative concept suggests exhibits exploring:

• big data and search algorithms

• monopolistic digital structures

• reputation damage caused by online search results

• SEO manipulation and countermeasures

• privacy erosion

• online reputation management industries

• regulatory advocacy movements

This commentary demonstrates Museumscapes’ broader philosophical interest in the evolving landscape of digital life—a natural continuation of its interpretive mission.

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Museumscapes.net serves today as both a memorial and an archival resource documenting the creative achievements of a specialized exhibit-design firm that played a meaningful role in shaping museum experiences across the American Southwest and beyond.

The company’s legacy lies in its dedication to immersive environments, narrative-driven storytelling, and technological innovation—qualities that helped museums engage visitors in deeper, more dynamic ways. From aviation history to geological heritage, from holographic CEOs to vast desert landscapes, Museumscapes brought complex stories to life through design, craftsmanship, scholarship, and imagination.

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