The Vision

If you love exploring history and culture by visiting the places where it took place, come and play with us in an adventurous treasure hunt.  

We easily forget that history is a living thing; that significant historical and cultural events have taken place right in our own backyards, and that everyday people who lived before us have played an important role in shaping the world we live in today. Textbooks allow us to read about history and places, movies are a way to show us history, yet in each of these experiences, we are passive learners watching history take place on-screen.

The iPod UVA History Challenge aims to emphasize that history does not occur in remote places, but is a significant part of our surroundings. It makes players have an active role in uncovering the history that surrounds them. It presents them with the challenge of solving a mystery, and lets them learn about the history and culture of UVA, Charlottesville, and our nation along the way. The game also ties in literary figures that are associated with the university, as well music and cultural customs that characterize the town where the university is located, Charlottesville.

We hope to provide an active and engaging experience that teachers can use with their students to spark their interest in exploring local and national history further. For visitors to the Charlottesville area, we hope this game provides a unique and alternate way to explore the rich history found through the city of Charlottesville, particularly on the UVA grounds.