John Suau conceived and directed the creation of the opening exhibit DC Hall of History, a central exhibit about the history of Washington, D.C., as portrayed by the Historical Society collections. John was the executive director of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., in 2019, when the organization launched the DC History Center.

Design Problem

The space for this exhibit is very small. It is a long narrow hallway with very low ceilings. In the redesign of the building with Apple, the space would prove the most challenging. However, the exhibit “DC Hall of History,” is a pivotal exhibit for the Historical Society.

Design Solution

John Suau worked with Healy|Kohler Design to develop a solution for the exhibit about the history of Washington, D.C. using the collections of the Historical Society. The design solution was a wall-mounted light box and a series of four custom made display cases. Together, they provide a maximum impact on the visitor.

John’s experience, knowledge of space design and his problem solving skills proved valuable in the creation of a visitor experience that is engaging and didactic. Furthermore, the exhibit provides educators a template from which to create a number of topics, including local commerce, transportation, leisure time in Washington, and the built environment.

The exhibit includes a timeline which incorporates display techniques reminiscent of the Apple store downstairs. Custom display cases hold materials from the collections of the Historical Society and there is a mural map that highlights local museums and libraries with collections related to Washington history. The mission of the organization is prominently displayed over a photomontage of the organization’s public programs and exhibits.