Carter Heritage House is a conceptual project for a historical home and museum honoring 19th-century poet Eliza Carter. Inspired by my time visiting small museums and urban landmarks, I set out to design a fully responsive website that feels refined, literary, and rooted in historical storytelling.

1.Research and Concept Development

I began by looking at how small museums and historic homes communicate their stories online, and noticed how often their digital presence felt disconnected from the richness of their physical spaces. Drawing from my own experiences visiting literary homes and heritage sites, I wanted the website to feel like an extension of that atmosphere. This led to a core question: How can design help a visitor feel the essence of a historic home before they ever step inside?

2. Visual Design Exploration

I explored layouts inspired by editorial magazines and museum catalogs to create a clean, timeless aesthetic that supports long-form storytelling. I developed an editorial aesthetic using an elegant serif typeface, soft blue-and-white tones, and hand-drawn icons referencing 19th-century life. The aim was to evoke literary heritage and historical warmth without sacrificing clarity or modern usability.

3.Building the Experience in Framer

The build focused on structuring the site around real operational needs: clear visiting information, simple paths to support the museum, and CMS-driven exhibitions and events that small teams can update easily. I used organized layers, reusable components, and global styles to ensure that the template feels approachable for non-technical staff while remaining polished and cohesive. The final structure reflects what small museums need most—clarity, flexibility, and a design system that respects both history and everyday workflow.

For organizations or creators who want to build on this aesthetic, the design is also available for purchase as a Framer template.