DENTON (UNT), Texas — A new mobile app created by a University of North Texas student is teaching Texas history through augmented reality, immersive visuals and accessible storytelling.

Deah Berry Mitchell, a doctoral student in UNT’s Department of History, created the Deep Ellum AR Experience app in partnership with the city of Dallas. The app, which is free and available on all platforms, aims to educate users on the lesser-known history of the Deep Ellum neighborhood, an area significant to local Black history.

“The app begins with Dallas’s origin story. Through the app, you’re watching the community evolve and grow,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell operates Soul of DFW Tours, a company providing Black history and food tours in the North Texas region, and includes Deep Ellum in her routes. She was inspired to create her app while leading a tour.

“Often when I give these tours and tell stories about Black history, there’s no original architecture left at the site,” Mitchell said. “I thought that if I had a mobile app to bring this history to life and give people something to see and hear, they could better understand it.”

Deep Ellum, founded in 1873 at a railroad crossing near Central Avenue and Elm Street, became a hub for Black Americans and immigrant laborers traveling to work in cotton fields and other sites. The name “Deep Ellum” came from “Deep Elm,” referring to its distance from downtown. Once called “the Black downtown of Dallas,” it remains a vibrant center for food and nightlife today.

The app traces Deep Ellum’s history from 1860 to the present. Using a phone’s camera, users can view three-dimensional AR models of historical buildings and sites — which move as the user explores — accompanied by text, photos and other interactive content.

“It was important to me to incorporate AR, because it makes these stories engaging and much more tangible,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell pitched the concept to the city of Dallas in 2021, receiving approval and funding in 2024. Working alongside a team of developers, she conducted research, wrote scripts and sourced images for in-app use.

Mitchell consulted The Portal to Texas History, an open-source historical database created and maintained by UNT Libraries, while creating content. Additionally, her own research, including oral histories and recorded interviews, contributed to the project.

“The Portal to Texas History is an invaluable resource for projects like this, providing access to rich historical records that help bring local stories to life,” said Dreanna Belden, director of external partnerships for UNT Libraries. “We're pleased to see it play a role in the Deep Ellum AR Experience, where Deah’s research and personal narratives create a deeper connection to the area's long and fascinating history.”

The Deep Ellum AR Experience app launched at an event hosted by the city of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. Mitchell plans to expand the app by including more neighborhoods and historical sites — with ideas for collaboration on “scavenger hunts” offering special deals to local businesses. She’s also created lesson plans for grades 7-12 that meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards.

Most of all, Mitchell is glad that the app is available to anyone wanting to learn more about Texas history.

“I’m proud to have brought this project into the world. I hope future generations find it meaningful and recognize its significance,” Mitchell said.