Naper Settlement – Building an Interactive Museum Exhibit
When Naper Settlement in Naperville, IL, set out to create the Thresher Experience, their goal was to honor the mechanical innovations that transformed Midwestern agriculture and to do it in a way that would inspire today’s museum visitors. This wasn’t just about displaying farm machinery; it was about crafting an immersive, interactive experience where history feels tangible.
To bring their design to life, Naper Settlement partnered with Gemini Builds It to render and build a complete suite of custom museum displays. From large-format interpretive panels to expertly engineered interactive kiosks, our team transformed the museum’s concept into finished pieces built for durability, engagement, and storytelling. Their award-winning exhibit recently earned the Association of Midwest Museums’ “Best Practices” recognition for excellence in exhibit design and visitor engagement.
from vision to fabrication
Our process began with detailed concept renderings that translated the museum’s design into build-ready plans. Each cabinet and kiosk was engineered to exact specifications, incorporating:
- Custom cabinetry and kiosks with structural supports and museum-grade joinery, built to withstand high visitor traffic while maintaining a clean, professional finish.
- Integrated technology housings, including angled touchscreen panels, microphone mounts, and headphone hooks, all designed for ergonomic comfort.
- Hidden hardware and cable management so the storytelling—not the mechanics—remains front and center.
- Large-format printed panels for vibrant, durable graphics that enhance storytelling and visitor engagement.
Using our in-house fabrication capabilities, we built each display from select-grade materials, including birch plywood for warmth and stability, painted maple for crisp, durable lines, and acrylic signage for bold, high-contrast titles. The result was a cohesive, professional environment where modern craftsmanship meets historic narrative.
the impact
Visitors to Thresher Hall can now step into the story of agricultural transformation, seeing, hearing, and interacting with the machinery that reshaped rural America. For the museum, these custom-built exhibit displays not only enhance visitor engagement but also set a new standard for combining historical interpretation with modern design.
The Best Practices award is a testament to Naper Settlement’s vision, but for us, it’s also a celebration of what happens when museums and makers collaborate. Together, we didn’t just preserve history; we built an experience that brings it vividly to life.
