September 27, 2013 9.49 am This story is over 126 months old

New app mapping unusual Lincoln heritage

Hidden history: A new app for the city will let residents and tourists learn more about the more unknown historical parts of Lincoln.
Lincoln's new Hidden History app will act as an exciting treasure trail, with interactive clues geo-tagging, puzzles and videos.

This autumn, residents and visitors of Lincoln will be able to unlock an interactive trail of secret heritage across the city.

Lincoln based digital agency Blueprint: Design and Multimedia are in the process of developing an app for the web and smartphones, and will launch the technology on October 18 as part of the 2013 Frequency Festival.

The app is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will allow users to follow a ‘treasure hunt’ of unusual and largely unknown Lincoln history.

With the help of geo-tagging and cryptic clues, the app will unlock different content for specific locations including documentary films, artefacts and film reconstructions.

The new Hidden History app will be designed by Lincoln based design agency Blueprint. Local volunteers help to create documentaries.

The new Hidden History app will be designed by Lincoln based design agency Blueprint. Local volunteers help to create documentaries.

Local volunteers have been involved from the start of the project, researching interesting stories from the city’s past and plotting the heritage route through the city.

Volunteers from a history and research club, aged between 50 and 70, have researched historical stories and created mini scripts.

In addition, university students and graduates have taken on leading acting and production roles.

The app won’t focus on sites that are already well covered by various organisations such as Lincoln Castle or Cathedral, but will look at a wide spread of defining locations, from St. Mary’s Church to Newport Arch.

Blueprint marketing manager Chris Searson says: “The unique aspect of this project is the competitive ‘treasure hunt’ element working alongside the educational aspect of unearthing the hidden heritage that the city has to offer.

“We really want to encourage younger people to engage more with heritage and the competitive game play will achieve that.”

Blueprint are about to start filming the documentary sections, if you are interested in getting involved, or would like more information about the app itself, please visit the Hidden History website or call 01522 539977.