the brief

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest extant house in Manhattan, constructed in 1765 and serving as residence, tavern, military headquarters, and now museum over the years. The museum has a new permanent exhibit entitled “Life Below Stairs”, a closer look at the often under-recognized stories of the people who made the mansion run, most of whom were indentured or enslaved.

The exhibit called for large-print panels describing the artifacts as well as information about intangible concepts such as early American foodways, indentured servitude and enslavement, and cooking techniques and cuisine.

The basement kitchen is an immersive experience, complete with a soundscape and food items to smell. The panels needed to reflect and enhance the dynamic, immersive sense of the exhibit and so were made using various layers of overlapping materials, including transparent acetate as well as the standard foamcore.

Layered print signage within the mansion’s existing brand at the time conveyed information efficiently while expressive illustrations on acetate brought the exhibit to life.