In Jersey City On July 4th For America’s 250th Anniversary: Experience Augmented Reality History Of Statue Of Liberty At Liberty State Park In Jersey City

America 250 AR Art & History Tour of Jersey City

Debut of The Statue of Liberty AR History Tour and Echoes of Freedom AR Art Exhibition 25 Augmented Reality Artworks Featured in Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary

By Trish Gianakis

Editor’s note: In celebration of America’s sesquicentennial, or 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the movie A Great Awakening sought to explore the history of evangelicism in America and its relation to the founding fathers, including Ben Franklin.  We published a little-known history of Staten Island as a landing ground for the British Navy during the Revolutionary War, where there were many British loyalists on the island providing material help to the King’s forces.  An Alice Austen House exhibit late last year celebrated the 250th anniversary with an exhibit, Whitman on Walls.  Staten Island’s congresswoman introduced legislation to create a commemmorative coin.  

This Independence Day, history and art will come to life at Liberty State Park through augmented reality.

On July 4, 2026, Echoes of Freedom will transform Liberty State Park into an open-air augmented reality exhibition featuring an interactive history of the Statue of Liberty and 25 digital artworks by contemporary artists exploring themes of freedom, hope, immigration, democracy, identity, and the American Dream. The exhibition is part of the America 250 AR Art & History Tour of Jersey City, an innovative public project by Trish Gianakis that blends art, technology, and history to create immersive experiences for visitors.

Using their smartphones, visitors can scan QR codes placed throughout the park to unlock virtual sculptures, digital artworks, 3D animations, and interactive historical experiences. No app is required.

The Statue of Liberty AR History Tour brings the story of Lady Liberty to life through augmented reality, allowing visitors to explore her history, symbolism, and connection to generations of immigrants arriving in America.

The project transforms Liberty State Park into a living digital gallery, where visitors can walk along the waterfront and discover stories that connect the nation’s past with contemporary artistic expression.

“We are preserving American history while creating new ways for people to experience it,” said Trish Gianakis, creator of the project. Gianakis is an award-winning immersive artist, professor at Saint Peter’s University, and creative director whose work combines public art, augmented reality, and emerging technologies.

“Through augmented reality, I explore the connection between the physical and invisible worlds, revealing stories that might otherwise remain unseen,” Gianakis said. “For millions of immigrants arriving by ship, the Statue of Liberty served as a beacon of hope and a symbol of freedom. This project honors those stories while inviting new generations to engage with them in meaningful ways.”

The 25 selected artists are featured through Illust.Space, an augmented reality platform that hosts the exhibition’s digital experiences. Several of the artworks are also blockchain-authenticated, demonstrating how emerging technologies can help preserve and share contemporary cultural narratives.

More than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend Liberty State Park during the July 4 celebrations. Eight Saint Peter’s University student volunteers will be on-site throughout the day to assist visitors in accessing and navigating the augmented reality experiences. Statue of Liberty History Tour and Echoes of Freedom AR Art Exhibition represent the second phase of the America 250 Augmented Reality Art & History Tour. Additional AR history experiences throughout Jersey City can be explored at this link.

Project Partners

The America 250 Augmented Reality Art & History Tour is made possible through the support of:

● Saint Peter’s University
● Liberty State Park / New Jersey State Parks
● Illust.Space
● Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs
● Balanced Forces

For more information, visit the project website or experience the exhibition in person at Liberty State Park on July 4, 2026.

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AR Exhibit. Image Credit – Trish Gianakis

AR Exhibit. Image Credit – Trish Gianakis

AR Exhibit. Image Credit – Trish Gianakis

AR Exhibit. Image Credit – Trish Gianakis

Banner Image: AR Exhibit. Image Credit – Trish Gianakis