The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum has received the Award for Excellence in Embracing Innovation from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network, for the museum’s Theodore Roosevelt Augmented Reality app, better known as “TR AR.” The recognition underscores the museum’s commitment to preserving history while embracing modern technology to engage visitors year-round.
The award, presented at a luncheon at Manhattanville College on Oct. 15, highlights the museum’s use of augmented reality to share Roosevelt’s story. The app allows visitors to explore key moments in his life at the historic Oyster Bay train station, even when the museum is closed for the season.
“We were thrilled to receive this honor,” said Ann Balderston-Glynn, a museum board member. “This recognition not only validates our efforts, but also opens doors for future opportunities, including potential grants.”
The TR AR app, funded by a $125,000 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, is part of a broader initiative to enhance accessibility to historical narratives through technology. The app includes four augmented-reality experiences in which visitors can hear Roosevelt narrating key moments in his life — his early years, his governorship, his presidency and his later years.
“This technical innovation has provided us another opportunity to attract another generation of visitors to the museum,” John Specce, the museum’s board president, said. “The app is available 365 days a year, giving people access to Roosevelt’s legacy even when our doors are closed.”
The TR AR experience is part of a larger four-stop historical tour funded by the Gardiner Foundation. Other stops include the TR Bird Sanctuary, in Oyster Bay; Camp Hero, in Montauk; and a Sayville site connected to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s family.
“This collaborative effort forms a comprehensive narrative of Roosevelt’s life,” Dottie Simons, the museum’s board secretary, said. “We’re proud to be a part of this innovative project that brings history to life in an engaging and educational way.”
Since launching the TR AR app, the museum has seen a surge in attendance and interest. Balderston-Glynn noted that the award has brought additional visibility to the facility, which is only open about seven months a year. “The app allows people to visit virtually during our off-season and inspires them to return when we’re open,” she said.
While the award does not include a monetary prize, it gives a valuable boost to the museum’s profile.
“This recognition is a feather in our cap,” Simons said. “It highlights the hard work of our volunteers and board members, and it helps us in our ongoing efforts to secure funding for additional projects.”
One potential future enhancement to the Roosevelt app is the addition of Spanish-language capabilities. “We want to make this experience accessible to our diverse community,” Balderston-Glynn said. “Creating a bilingual version would allow more families to connect with Roosevelt’s story.”
The museum is planning other new features, including train rides on a functioning turntable and a train simulator that gives visitors a feel for what it’s like to operate a locomotive. These attractions, expected to launch next year, aim to further enrich the museum experience.
The Greater Hudson Heritage Network awards ceremony was part of a larger convention that brought together historical societies and museums to share best practices and explore innovative approaches to storytelling.
“The event was not just about the awards,” said Balderston-Glynn. “It was an opportunity to learn from others, network, and find inspiration for our own future projects.”
For the railroad museum, the Roosevelt app, and the recognition it has garnered, are steps toward solidifying its role as a leader in historical preservation and education.
“This technical innovation has provided us another opportunity to attract another generation of visitors to the museum,” Specce said. “At each of the four markers at the station, a different aspect of his remarkable life is revealed.”
The museum’s efforts come at a time of renewed interest in Roosevelt’s life and contributions, with plans to tie future initiatives to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in 2026.
