Ashcroft's Historic Quest: An AR Walking Tour Experience

The Village of Ashcroft has collaborated with QuestUpon, an acclaimed augmented reality company, to develop a unique walking tour that allows people to delve into the authentic stories of this official hot spot of Canada. Situated along the Thompson River, Ashcroft has been a significant player in the development of British Columbia's interior. As a starting point on the wagon road to Barkerville during the Gold Rush era, Ashcroft boasts a wealth of history that deserves to be showcased to today's modern audience.

The Historic Ashcroft Quest offers a self-guided and interactive tour through the village, directing visitors to various points of interest using GPS coordinates on their mobile devices. The experience includes scavenger hunts, historic trivia, collecting items, viewing animals or characters in augmented reality, and seeing historic photos in their original locations. It provides an authentic and experiential way to learn about the town's history. The quest aims to showcase Ashcroft's rich history using modern technology. The app, available for free download as 'QuestUpon' on iPhone or Android, offers an engaging experience for families and individuals of all ages.

Tammy Meyers, COO and Co-founder of QuestUpon, highlights that while people often associate location-based augmented reality with games like Pokemon Go, the quest offers a different and educational experience. Kathy Paulos of the Ashcroft Museum expressed her excitement about the quest, noting that it provided a compelling way to experience the town's history in its actual locations. Ashcroft is described as a welcoming community with a strong sense of history and opportunity, set amidst a spectacular recreational environment. The area's provincial parks offer semi-arid grasslands and rolling hills, creating a picturesque backdrop for hiking, golfing, and fishing.

QuestUpon, known for its innovation in entertainment, specializes in creating interactive and engaging experiences that bring the real world to life using technology such as 3-dimensional and animated augmented reality. Their platform offers a variety of quest types, including urban races, guided tours, treasure hunts, and games.