Presidential libraries and museums play an important role in telling the American public the stories of our past Presidents. To tell those stories the best and latest educational techniques and technologies are used to make them vibrant, engrossing, and memorable. And when the tech changes over time, it’s important to change with it.
A great example of this is the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Since the site was dedicated in 1990 there have been many technological advances. But you’d be surprised at how some of those advances have an impact.
Throughout the facility, audiovisual displays and interactive exhibits are used to great effect for an immersive educational experience. But one place you might not expect to find AV technological advances is in a space where you don’t see any AV tech at all.
That space is a replica of the White House East Room. This room offers the same elegant and refined atmosphere as the real East Room, only on a bigger scale to accommodate large groups. Museum designers wanted an upgrade with AV technology that wouldn’t detract from that feeling.
“The visual aesthetics of the East Room were a high priority in the design and to not be in your face until in use,” said Timothy Metzger of TM AV Consulting & Integration Inc. “Knowing the Draper screen line very well, and after looking at multiple screen options, we found what was the best fit for the job.”
Metzger and AV dealer Production Access Group decided to recess the AV equipment above the ceiling so it can’t be seen when it isn’t in use. The two 220-inch Ultimate Access XL V screens have closure panels that provide a seamless look when closed, and they open up into the case to let the viewing surface down. The viewing surfaces are industry leading TecVision ambient light-rejecting surfaces, so the elegant lighting in the room doesn’t have to be turned off to enjoy projection.
The projector and speakers are mounted to four Scissor Lift SL4s. Each lift has a trim kit to blend in with the surrounding ceiling.
“This installation has been a winner from the first time the screens were lowered at the debut event,” said Metzger. “The reaction from the audience who had been in this space before with folding screens held up with sandbags and the 3K lumen projectors, now seeing the screens coming out of the ceiling with 20K Panasonic laser projectors, was tremendous. It has been a total winner.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
