Augmented reality tour shifts perceptions of California history
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Researchers at Santa Clara University examined how an augmented reality tour reshaped visitors’ understanding of Ohlone history at Mission Santa Clara in California.
The Th’amien Ohlone AR Tour, created in collaboration with the Ohlone Native American community, overlays digital stories onto the physical landscape.
Analyzing surveys from 57 participants, including Ohlone community members, university affiliates, and general visitors, the team identified a phenomenon they call “spatial dissonance.” This describes the tension people felt when the AR content challenged established narratives about the site or when the physical surroundings contrasted with the histories shared in the tour. The study found that participants’ existing cultural frameworks influenced how they interpreted the AR experience.
Seeing contemporary Ohlone people and relationships highlighted the ongoing presence and resilience of the community. Participants generally responded positively to the tour and expressed a desire for lasting, physical recognition of Ohlone history on the land. The researchers suggest that augmented reality can serve as a tool for prototyping public acknowledgements and supporting community-led initiatives. The team hopes future AR projects will prioritize relationships to land and place, drawing on Indigenous scholarship to inform both design and evaluation.
