RLMG, an acclaimed digital experience design firm, created a new immersive show, Ruckus!, the anchor experience of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, with client Revolutionary Spaces and partner Electrosonic, a leading international audiovisual and technology services company.
Ruckus!, a 27-minute animated experience at the Old South Meeting House, recounts the key events of the American Revolution in Boston.
Animated figures projected onto the walls of this National Historic Landmark bring history to life, complemented by transparent OLED screens, dramatic lighting, and surround sound to deepen visitor immersion.
RLMG’s immersive experience allows audiences to see the connection between past and present and to better understand the complexities of the Revolution.
Partnering with Revolutionary Spaces’ historians, it worked to present perspectives often missing in other retellings and provide interpretations that are both precise and innovative.
RLMG says:
"By weaving the story of well-known figures like John Adams and Phillis Wheatley with lovable new animated characters, and by casting the building as a character in the drama, we defy expectations for history education and create a highly entertaining attraction for locals and visitors of Boston alike."
A new way of telling the story
The experience welcomes visitors of all ages, providing a compelling new way to engage with Boston’s historic Freedom Trail.
It follows the story from the early protests in 1765 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, featuring renowned figures such as John Hancock, Abigail Adams, and Phillis Wheatley, as well as some unexpected newcomers.
These characters add humour, curiosity, and new insights to the story as it unfolds.
The Old South Meeting House is a living artefact, with original features and careful restorationsImage courtesy of RLMG
“Ruckus! marks a turning point not just for Revolutionary Spaces, but for how audiences experience history in Boston,” says Nat Sheidley, president and CEO of Revolutionary Spaces.
“As we approach America’s 250th, we are proud to meet the moment by doing something truly unparalleled: transforming a beloved historic landmark on the Freedom Trail into a fully immersive environment where the Revolution is no longer something audiences read about, but something they feel.
"Visitors of all ages and backgrounds will step into the dramatic story of how the American Revolution was made right here in Boston and leave Ruckus! with a new understanding of the role they have to play in shaping what comes next.”
Ruckus! blends historical figures with new characters as it tells the story of the American RevolutionImage courtesy of RLMG
Matthew Wilding, senior director of interpretation & future planning for Revolutionary Spaces and creator of Ruckus!, adds:
“With Ruckus!, Revolutionary Spaces has done something unprecedented–we’ve completely transformed our historic landmark with cutting-edge technology and top-tier storytelling that brings the space to life, while still allowing it to revert to its spectacular original state.
“Visitors will be able to explore this venerable landmark as it has been preserved for centuries, but will also be able to step into it as it was in its heyday–a raucous meeting space where real and lively change occurred.”
Partners for this project included RLMG, Electrosonic, FableVision, Available Light, Lila Rose Kaplan, Kate Sutton-Johnson, Quentin Chiapetta, and MediaNoise.
Electrosonic and RLMG also recently joined forces to deliver a fully immersive journey for the Montana Heritage Center in the US. The project was awarded the 2026 Museum Impact Award at the AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in Philadelphia in May.
