How Digital Exhibits Can Breathe New Life Into Small Museums
In the rolling hills of eastern North Carolina sits the Country Doctor Museum, a small but significant repository of medical history that, like many small museums, faced declining visitor numbers after the pandemic. When museum director Annie Anderson partnered with Invenire in 2019, she wasn't just looking for a digital replica of her physical space—she was seeking a new way to connect with potential visitors.
"We needed something that would showcase our unique collections while enticing people to visit in person," recalls Anderson. "The Model T Ford exhibit is a visitor favorite, but many schools couldn't arrange field trips due to our limited space and their transportation constraints."
The solution? A 10-15 minute interactive digital experience through Invenire that highlights the museum's most compelling features while inviting deeper exploration through an in-person visit. This virtual field trip experience lets students and remote visitors discover the museum before making the trip to Bailey, NC.
The digital transformation doesn't end with visitor statistics. Small museums like the Country Doctor Museum are finding that digital exhibits can serve as powerful marketing tools that reach far beyond their local communities.
"People discover The Country Doctor Museum online through their digital exhibit, and then make plans to visit when they're in the area," says LaFave, founder of Invenire. "We're bringing untapped audiences these museums could never could have connected with before."
For small museums with limited marketing budgets, this digital discovery pathway represents a revolutionary approach to visibility and relevance in an increasingly online world.
Interested in how Invenire can transform your museum's digital presence? Contact us today to learn about our summer 2025 digitization special.
Virtual Exhibits, Real Visitors: How Digital Experiences Drive Physical Museum Traffic
In today's digital-first world, small museums are discovering that virtual exhibits serve as powerful gateways to in-person visits. While digital exhibits can generate revenue through ticketed access, many of our partner museums are finding tremendous value in offering free digital experiences that convert online visitors into physical guests.
The Digital-to-Physical Pipeline
Our museum partners report compelling results from free digital exhibits:
Virtual visitors are 3x more likely to plan an in-person visit after exploring online
57% of first-time physical visitors report discovering the museum through its digital exhibit
Average visitor donations increase when guests have experienced digital content before or given access following visit
"We treat each digital exhibit like a movie trailer for our museum or library partners," explains LaFave, founder of Invenire. "By giving visitors a taste of the collection online for free, or at a small fee, we've turned a virtual field trip into the most effective marketing tool."
Increased Physical Visitation
Our museum partners consistently report that their digital exhibits drive in-person visits:
Virtual visitors are 3x more likely to plan an in-person visit
School groups often book in-person visits after experiencing digital exhibits in the classroom
Grant and Funding Opportunities
Museums with digital initiatives demonstrate innovation and accessibility—key criteria for many grants:
Accessibility grants for serving remote communities
Educational outreach funding
Technology innovation support
Operational Efficiencies
Digital exhibits can reduce staffing pressures and extend your educational reach:
Provide self-guided options for visitors
Serve multiple school groups simultaneously
Deliver consistent educational experiences even with limited staff
"Our community relies on the library, especially our homeschool families," shares Julie Cox, head librarian in Cove City, NC. "The digital exhibit allows visitors to explore independently, making them comfortable with our process and introducing them to community activities before their first visit!"
The Bottom Line
While the initial investment for digitization typically ranges from $1,000-$1,500, our partners report recouping these costs within 3-6 months through a combination of new revenue, increased visitation, and operational efficiencies.
Curious about the potential return on investment for your institution? Contact us for a customized consultation.
