3-D Modeling Historic Levittown

Authors/Creators

Christopher Bergin, Eastern Michigan University
Shannon LaBelle, Eastern Michigan University
Steffany Wood, Eastern Michigan University
Anastasios Zaharias, Eastern Michigan University

Document Type

Project

Creation and/or Acquisition Date

12-6-2019

Institutional Repository Publication Date

2025

Description

This project examines early postwar suburban development in the U.S. by creating a 3D model of the Wolcott Road neighborhood in Levittown, NY (1947-1950). Drawing from archival sources, including photographs and historical maps, the project creates digital reconstructions of multiple Levittown house models and their variations. The project used SketchUp Pro to create the 3D models, which were published on SketchFab. This project adheres to the principles of the London Charter for best practices in using computer-based visualization of cultural heritage and promotes both accessibility and sustainability by ensuring the model’s long-term preservation and access.

Format

3D models outputted in SketchUp (.skp file). Additional formats include COLLADA (.dae) and .kmz for use in Google Earth Pro.

Instructions

To access 3D models on SketchFab, use the following URL: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/levittown-ny-wolcott-road-neighborhood-model-2be9bac25bc9423b9204b531b0510b9f SketchUp 3D Models (.skp files) can be viewed in SketchUp Pro (desktop application) or SketchUp Free (cloud-based). Ensure that you are using the latest version for optimal compatibility. Accessing Models in SketchUp Pro (.skp file): 1. Download and install SketchUp Pro, or use computers at EMU that already have the software installed. 2. Download the .skp file to your device. 3. Upload the .skp file into SketchUp. 4. For guidance on using SketchUp, refer to the official instructions: https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/getting-started-sketchup Accessing Models in SketchUp Online (.skp file): 1. Visit the SketchUp for Web page: https://www.sketchup.com/en/products/sketchup-for-web 2. Click the “Start Modeling” button. 3. Create a SketchUp account or log in with your existing account. 4. Once logged in, click “Open,” then select “From Device.” 5. Upload the .skp file to view and edit the model. Accessing Models in SketchFab (.skp file): 1. Download the .skp file 2. Navigate to the SketchFab webpage: https://sketchfab.com/feed 3. Create a SketchFab account or log in with your existing account. 4. Once logged in, click “Upload,” then select the .skp file or files to view the model.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

External URL

3D Models can also be viewed in SketchFab through the following URL: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/levittown-ny-wolcott-road-neighborhood-model-2be9bac25bc9423b9204b531b0510b9f

Institution of Origin

These materials were developed by graduate students at Eastern Michigan University in the Digital Heritage Preservation Lab (DHPL) and as part of the Documenting and Recording Historic Places course. The DHPL is directed by Dan Bonenberger and is located in the Department of Geography and Geology in 114 Strong Hall.

Source

Levittown History Collection: A digital collection of 59 historic photographs and advertisements published by the Levittown Public Library, New York. This collection provided aerial photographs and house images. Google Maps and Street View: Screenshots of homes, photographs, and aerial views were used to verify current conditions and identify original house models. Zillow: Photographs of houses were sourced from real estate listings to provide additional visual reference for the neighborhood models. Rutgers University Library, Jersey Digital Highway: The 1947 Cape Cod House Floorplan was sourced from this archive to accurately model house dimensions.

Paradata

The processes, decisions, methods, and limitations of the project are documented in the reports associated with the products.

Provenance

The original aerial photographs, along with images of the houses and neighborhood from 1947-1949, are housed in the Levittown History Collection, which is accessible through the Levittown Public Library on the New York Heritage Digital Collections website. These materials served as the primary data source for creating the digital 3D model of the neighborhood.

Digital File Type

.atx, .docx, .fbx, .freelist, .gbdindexes, .gdtable, .gdtablx, .geprint, .jpeg,.kmz, .mxd, .pdf, .pptx, .skp, .spx, .spx, URL.

Sponsors

Eastern Michigan University, Digital Heritage Preservation Lab, Historic Preservation Program, Preservation Studies Program.

Recommended Citation

Bergin, Christopher, Shannon LaBelle, Steffany Wood, and Anastasios Zaharias. 3-D Modeling Historic Levittown. Eastern Michigan University, December 16, 2019. https://commons.emich.edu/dhpc/3/. Eastern Michigan University. Digital Heritage Preservation Collection. Digital Commons @ EMU. https://commons.emich.edu/dhpc/ Zaharias, Anastasios, Chris Bergin, Shannon LaBelle, and Steffany Wood. Levittown, NY Wolcott Road Neighborhood Model. 3D model. Eastern Michigan University, Sketchfab. https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/levittown-ny-wolcott-road-neighborhood-model-2be9bac25bc9423b9204b531b0510b9f. Zaharias, Anastasios, Chris Bergin, Shannon LaBelle, and Steffany Wood. 3-D Modeling Historic Levittown: Exploring Early Suburbia Using Digital Best Practices. ArcGIS StoryMaps, Eastern Michigan University, December 16, 2019. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1cc51596f9e542e4886ce471da7ca01c.