The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts - “Uprooted: An American Story” Gallery Renovation

Japanese American Stories Come to Life

Opened in 1998, the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts is an official state history museum with the mission to educate and enlighten visitors about California’s rich history through interactive experiences. HGA collaborated with the Museum and the State of California to modernize one of their signature exhibits.

“Uprooted: An American Story” is an immersive experience highlighting Japanese American survivor stories from the World War II mass incarceration and ongoing efforts to safeguard civil liberties for all. The exhibit has been rebuilt and technologically updated and is filled with inspiring stories, interactive displays, and artifacts from survivors of the incarceration camps; educating visitors to ensure such a civil rights violation does not happen again.

The project consists of a 3,000 square foot gallery renovation within the existing museum’s first floor to accommodate the updated exhibit. HGA’s design solution reflects the needs, program, and code requirements consistent with the existing fit and finish of the museum. The exhibit is a vibrant, interactive hub for presentation and education about this piece of American history. Designed with the visitor experience in mind, the gallery engages audiences in new and innovative ways, with interactive exhibits and enhanced technology. For example, AI Technology was employed to allow visitors to hold virtual conversations with incarceration survivors. As a result, “Uprooted: An American Story” has become an integral part of the California Museum’s exhibit collection, providing space to educate, remember, and inspire.