DI worked early on with the Library staff and the school’s Chancellor to come up with a cohesive story and vision for the new exhibits. During exhibit planning, designers at DI developed high-fidelity fundraising materials that helped the University obtain several rounds of generous donor funding to ensure the installation of the exhibits by the grand opening of the new Wigton Heritage Center in 2021.

The exhibits, which cover the first three floors of the newly renovated building, were designed to address three different audiences at different levels of engagement. On the first floor, large-scale digital and graphic displays address students, staff, and the general public along active thoroughfares, imparting the rich history of the school and its esteemed leaders throughout the years. The displays provide a high-level overview for busy passers-by and several additional levels of interaction and depth for those with time to stop and learn more.

On the second-floor student commons area, more in-depth exhibits are displayed throughout passageways and collaborative/study areas for students and staff to learn more about the history of their field, including: a special collection of historical medical instruments from the Civil War era and other artifacts that span several centuries, an 1870s era dentist office diorama created with authentic artifacts on loan from an avid collector, including a digital portal to view the rest of his vast collection, a singular collection of diverse infant feeding apparatus that have been used over the millennia and across the globe, important historic figures that contributed to the cultural diversity of the school, and a special exhibit on UNMC’s place in the early treatment of Ebola.

The executive floor showcases select high-end exhibits tailored specifically for the school Chancellor and visiting dignitaries, including an extensive rare book collection requiring NARA-quality handling and preservation. The exhibit design allows for the staff to easily change out the books or pages on display, in order to preserve the fragile artifacts and keep them intact.