The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture launched the "Freedom Trail App: Deep Ellum AR" on February 27, 2025, an interactive augmented reality (AR) app designed to educate users on the history of Black culture in Deep Ellum.
The official announcement took place at 10 a.m. at the Deep Ellum Community Center. City officials, cultural leaders, historians, and stakeholders attended the launch.
The app provides users with an AR experience that explores key moments and locations in Dallas’s history from the 1860s to the present, focusing on the impact of slavery, the significance of Juneteenth, and their effects on Dallas.
"We are proud to provide this educational resource for residents and visitors so they may learn more about the history of Deep Ellum as they visit,” said Office of Arts and Culture Director, Martine Elyse Philippe. “Having a free app available to remember and understand our Dallas history is important as we work together as a community to shape the present and prepare for the future.”
This initiative aligns with the City of Dallas’s Racial Equity Plan and the 2018 Dallas Cultural Plan, which aim to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities within the city.
The app can be downloaded for free by visiting the App Store and Google Play store.
About the Office of Arts and Culture (OAC):
The Office of Arts and Culture works to enhance the vitality of the city and the quality of life for all Dallas residents by creating an equitable environment wherein artists as well as arts and cultural organizations thrive; people of all ages enjoy opportunities for creative expression; and all celebrate our multicultural heritage. Our mission is to support and grow a sustainable cultural ecosystem that ensures all residents and visitors have opportunities to experience arts and culture throughout the city.
