Infinite Museum: A Virtual Journey Through Time

Blending local heritage, creativity, and cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) – co-created with artists and young people across Lincolnshire.

What if you could step into history – not just read about it or view it behind glass, but really step into it?

To walk through the past, hear the voices of those who lived it, and see familiar places come alive in new and unexpected ways?

That’s exactly what the Infinite Museum sets out to do.

This unique VR experience offers a fresh way to explore Lincolnshire’s rich cultural heritage - through the lens of immersive technology and local creativity. Developed by award-winning immersive storytellers MBD in collaboration with the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, the Infinite Museum isn’t just a new way to engage with history. It’s a whole new way to experience it.

What makes it truly special is how deeply rooted it is in the local community. From concept to creation, this project was shaped by the voices, ideas, and imaginations of artists, young people, and residents across the region. It’s not just for the community - it’s by the community.

So, what’s inside the Infinite Museum?

At its core, the Infinite Museum is a multi-user VR experience designed for groups of 1–4 people. Unlike traditional VR installations, which can feel isolating, this one invites participants to explore together - to interact, share moments, and spark conversations as they go.

You and your group step into a virtual lift that becomes your gateway to a series of themed floors - each one unlocking a different story from Lincolnshire’s past. These stories come to life through art, animation, poetry, and sound, offering a deeply sensory journey through place, memory, and imagination.

Whether you’re a lifelong local or stepping into Lincolnshire’s stories for the first time, the Infinite Museum offers something fresh, unexpected, and powerfully engaging.

Explore the Four Themed Floors

Each floor of the Infinite Museum offers a completely different experience. Two were created by MBD’s team of immersive storytelling experts; the other two were co-designed with local artists and young people through a series of workshops and creative residencies - ensuring that the stories told reflect a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences.

Here’s what you’ll find when the lift doors open:

The Stained Glass Window

Get up close to the stunning Oriel window at Ayscoughfee Hall and discover the intricate stories captured in its colourful panes – a blend of art, architecture, and history brought to life in vivid detail.

A Step Back in Time to 1712

Join the founding members of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, the UK’s second-oldest antiquarian society, as they meet for the very first time. Experience how the society formed and evolved through the centuries.

Cabinet of Curiosity

Step into a surreal space filled with 3D-scanned objects curated by local young people. Place an item in the cabinet and unlock its story, imagined by those who live in the region today.

A Poetic VR Film

Created during a four-day artist residency, this floor blends poetry, music, and striking visuals into a moving short film. It’s a sensory-rich reflection on place, memory, and identity - created by local artists with deep connections to the area.

A Project Made with (and for) the Community

The Infinite Museum isn’t just a high-tech attraction - it’s a model for what community-led creative projects can achieve.

From the beginning, the aim was to invite people into the process not just as audiences, but as co-creators. Young people took part in hands-on workshops at Ayscoughfee Hall, learning about 3D scanning, digital storytelling, and how to work in Unreal Engine, the same technology used to build blockbuster video games and films.

Working alongside MBD’s team, they explored what it means to reimagine local heritage through immersive tools, and helped shape the Cabinet of Curiosity floor from the ground up. For many, it was their first encounter with digital creativity, and seeing their ideas come to life in the final VR experience was a powerful and affirming moment.

Local artists also took part in a paid residency, offering them the chance to reflect on Lincolnshire’s heritage in new, digital ways. With time and space to experiment, collaborate, and explore immersive storytelling, supported by MBD, the result is one of the most heartfelt and distinctive parts of the museum: the Poetic VR Film.

Where Can I Experience the Infinite Museum?

The Infinite Museum makes its public debut this Easter at Ayscoughfee Hall, where visitors will be among the first to step into this one-of-a-kind experience.

From there, it will tour heritage sites across South and East Lincolnshire, visiting new communities and creating fresh opportunities for people to engage with their local history in unexpected ways.

Whether you’re discovering the Oriel window for the first time, revisiting the stories of your hometown, or simply curious about how art and technology can bring the past to life - every visit offers something unique, personal, and unforgettable.

What’s Next for the Infinite Museum?

This is just the beginning. The Infinite Museum is part of a larger vision to support digital creativity and cultural engagement across South and East Lincolnshire. New opportunities are on the horizon for artists, educators, and young people to explore immersive storytelling, develop creative skills, and contribute to future floors of the museum.

The project is rooted in collaboration, bringing together communities, creatives, and technologists to build something truly meaningful. Whether you’re already working in the arts or just starting to explore what’s possible, there’s space for you to get involved and help shape the next chapter of the Infinite Museum.

Want to Take Part?

Follow Storytellers NPO and MBD on social media to stay up to date with new tour dates, opportunities, and events.

Got a question or want to find out how you can get involved?
Get in touch at NPO@e-lindsey.gov.uk