The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum has launched an augmented reality project called 'Unhidden Heroines', bringing five pioneering female figures to life on the National Mall. Starting June 18, visitors can use their smartphones or computers to explore virtual monuments dedicated to Julia Ward Howe, Polly Cooper, Mary Katharine Goddard, Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Dorothy Height, each paired with existing memorials.

The app allows users to scan QR codes for each historical figure, learning about her background and influence. For instance, Mary Katharine Goddard is linked to the Thomas Jefferson memorial as she published the first official copy of the Declaration of Independence.

This project, launched by a museum-without-walls, adds an interactive dimension to the National Mall's landscape. It aims to honour women’s history in a way that can be accessed anywhere, at any time. The initiative follows over two decades of advocacy and was established by Congress in 2020.

Although a physical museum remains at least ten years away, 'Unhidden Heroines' ensures that these remarkable women are not forgotten - even if only through our screens. The project runs until the end of America’s 250th birthday year on December 31st.