Washington County residents grew up surrounded by so much important history that we sometimes become numb to just what has happened here over the millennia. It’s easy to forget, while looking out on a relatively modern cityscape, that just over there were parallel earthen walls — a Sacra Via that led up from the Muskingum, built by Hopewell-era people. Or over there, the Ohio Company had not just its Land Office, but a brickyard, tannery, brewery and much more.

With a little help from the Ohio History Fund and Invisible Ground, the folks at the Campus Martius Museum are looking to change that.

Though the upgrade is billed as being for tourists, locals will want to take advantage of the augmented reality program, too. Scanning QR codes with smartphones, curious visitors and residents can view structures as they were in their original condition, with video and podcast options, as well.

“There are about 10,000 people who visit the Campus Martius Museum every year from every county in Ohio and every state in the nation and at least a dozen foreign countries,” said Erin Augenstein, Northwest Territory Museum Society executive director. “This is going to give folks an opportunity, if they’re in town visiting, a little more to look at and see and learn about our town.”

As the project takes off, here’s hoping there is enough interest and momentum to expand the effort in the coming years. Invisible or not, when you’re talking about history in Marietta and Washington County, there is a LOT of ground to cover.