SAVANNAH, GA. – The Georgia Historical Society, the oldest cultural organization and only statewide historical society in Georgia, has recently incorporated an advanced, custom web application developed by Smack Dab Studios, an award-winning leader in custom web development and graphic design, to enhance the tourism component of the vast Georgia Historical Marker Program – a collection of historical data including events, locations, people, battles, parks, counties and beyond.

“For nearly 175 years, the Georgia Historical Society has collected, preserved and shared Georgia and American history through a variety of educational outreach programs, publications and research services,” said Laura Garcia-Culler, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “With the help of Smack Dab Studios and their forward-thinking interpretations of what the future of historical education should be, GHS was able to surge beyond our initial hopes for an advance web application to enhance our Historical Marker Program.”

As the steward of this cutting-edge economic development program that incorporates historical markers and user-created driving routes, the Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is responsible for the management and accuracy of each historical marker detail. As part of their ongoing efforts to encourage local tourism and general state-wide interest, GHS believes they have taken the first crucial steps in connecting tech-savvy tourists and history buffs of all ages to unique historic locations.

“We wanted to provide our website users with an outstanding tool for learning about and preserving the history of the State of Georgia,” said Garcia-Culler. “These historical markers serve to educate citizens and visitors alike about the people and events that have shaped our past and present – making this an important project by which the Georgia Historical Society ensures a future for the past.”

This innovative custom web application, developed by Smack Dab Studios, allows visitors to search important historical events, locations, people, battles, parks, counties and beyond based on specific keyword, subject and regional searches. Other unique services include driving directions and specific GPS coordinates provided by the integrated Google Maps as well as information on historic sites, lodging, restaurants and other attractions in the counties along the mapped route.

“GHS envisioned a more advanced marker system that incorporated the latest database technology,” said Hannah Byrne, owner and chief creative officer of Smack Dab Studios. “This new program is one of our leading examples of the kind of custom applications we are becoming known for in the regional area.”

Smack Dab Studios volunteer efforts are leading the way in custom web applications that help provide Georgia historic sites and other more traditional organizations find the right tools to keep up with today’s tech-savvy tourist – setting them apart as an industry leader.

“Historic Savannah Foundation undertook a comprehensive strategic planning session last summer,” said Daniel Carey, president and CEO of Historic Savannah Foundation. “One of our priority goals included a total overhaul of the outdated and static website. We wanted a fresh, accessible and interactive site that represents the diversity of HSF and the preservation movement. We think the new site will appeal to all ages and interests.”

Historic Savannah Foundation enlisted the help of Smack Dab Studios, an award-winning leader in custom web development and graphic design, after a serious vetting process by the non-profit organization’s Community Relations Committee.

“We needed an attentive, full-service company with bright professionals and contemporary ideas to help HSF create a new brand, image, website, logo and collateral materials,” said Carey. “Smack Dab Studios was the perfect fit – especially considering their experience with other similar organizations in Savannah.”

In keeping with the mission of Historic Savannah Foundation, which includes preserving and protecting Savannah’s heritage through advocacy, education and community involvement, Smack Dab Studios and Historic Savannah Foundation launched the new website on May 20, 2010. With this new platform, HSF can now update the organization’s content through a Content Management System that provides full, user-friendly access over the entire site. Phase II of the HSF website is set to launch this fall and will include additional features such as online shopping and the ability to purchase tickets online to all HSF events.

“We couldn’t be more delighted with Historic Savannah Foundation’s clean re-branding and revitalized website,” said Hannah Byrne, owner and chief creative officer of Smack Dab Studios. “Our efforts will enhance this high-profile non-profit’s brand by providing clear and consistent messaging to its constituents and, even more-so, to the next generation of HSF supporters.”

ABOUT HISTORIC SAVANNAH FOUNDATION:

Historic Savannah Foundation is one of the nation’s leading local preservation organizations. Originally chartered in 1955 to preserve Savannah’s architectural heritage and Oglethorpe’s plan, the non-profit organization is administered by a full-time professional staff who operates under the direction of a Board of Trustees. Historic Savannah Foundation is credited with directly saving more than 350 buildings in Savannah’s historic neighborhoods in its first half-century. It also sponsors an annual awards program for noteworthy local preservation projects, an annual lecture series and other educational programs throughout the year. For more information about Historic Savannah Foundation, please call 912.233.7787 or visit www.myhsf.org online.

ABOUT SMACK DAB STUDIOS:

Headquartered in Savannah, Smack Dab Studios is an award-winning full-service Web development and graphic design firm. Under the leadership of chief creative officer Hannah L. M. Byrne and chief technical officer Blake Ellis, Smack Dab Studios develops logos, brochures, Web applications and other collateral materials to create cohesive, successful brands for a wide range of clients. The service-oriented firm also creates customized Web sites, providing a seamless array of design and marketing tools to help clients reach their target audience. For more information about Smack Dab Studios, please call 912.544.1770.

After the Georgia Historical Society gathered a comprehensive database of all the Historical Markers in Georgia, they approached Smack Dab with an idea allow site visitors to create their own driving route to markers throughout the state. SDS worked closely with the team at GHS and with careful integration of the current database of Markers and use of Google Maps the result is a comprehensive interactive Historical Marker Index. Feel free to give it a “test drive” and let us know what you think! You can choose your starting location and your final destination and it will route every marker in between.  Happy Trails!

Route your trip

The city of Garden City called on us to produce a brochure and direct mail campaign outlining the benefits of the city to current and future residents. Working closely with a team of land planning experts, PR consultants and many others, we directly contribute to the marketing and strategic planning for Garden City’s expansion efforts. These days it’s not out of the ordinary to find Hannah and Liz driving through Garden City interviewing residents and taking photographs for the next design piece. When SDS is involved in a project, you can be sure from beginning to end the project has our “smack” of approval. No task is too big or too small, when we say Full Service, we mean it!

Just in time for the holiday season, the new and snazzy (it’s our blog, we can say that, right?)   “Make My Tin” application makes it possible for anyone to design a custom cookie tin! In three easy steps one can upload a picture, choose a color, and after composing a catchy greeting, have the tins shipped out to family and friends!

We pride ourselves on being able to answer the question “Can you do that…?” with a “Yep, done and done!”

Take the new “Make My Tin” for a test drive – and order some cookies for your loved ones or your favorite Smack Dabbers for the Holiday season: http://www.byrdcookiecompany.com/product/1021/41

The user-friendly site includes updated information about the Colonial Dames historic properties in Georgia, including the Andrew Low House in Savannah. In addition to designing the site, we also secured the new domain name, developed the branding and created a complete content management system allowing the Dames to update their site as needed.

Here are a few of our favorite web-based applications/services to get you and your business to utilize the tools of the Internet!

Google Docs
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html

Harvest:
http://www.getharvest.com/

Co-Op:
http://coopapp.com/

SavannahNow & tick-it^TM
http://www.savannahnow.com/tickit

Base Camp:
http://www.basecamphq.com

Packet 8 (8×8)
http://www.8×8.com/

DropBox:
http://www.dropbox.com

eFax:
http://www.efax.com/

CMS
http://www.cmscom.net/

HiQ
http://www.hiqnetworking.com/