How to Turn Archived Websites into Web Museum Exhibits

Kaudo

Old websites aren’t just digital leftovers. Some of them carry the tone, texture, and quirks of a moment in web history that’s worth preserving. With the right approach, you can turn an archived site from archive.org into a web museum exhibit which is a a curated, readable, and emotionally charged look back into how the web once worked, and what it meant.

You don’t need a grant or a developer team. Just a bit of patience, a few tools, and a desire to rebuild rather than forget.

Start by Choosing the Right Archived Site

Not every website deserves a museum exhibit - and not every archived copy can support one. Look for a domain that:

  • Has cultural, aesthetic, or nostalgic value

  • Represents a specific moment, subculture, or trend

  • Was actively updated during the era you want to represent

  • Still has visual, structural, and readable archival snapshots

Use archive.org/web to explore versions, or get a full list of archived pages using the Wayback Domain Scanner. Focus on snapshots that include full menus, images, and layouts and not just text.

Gather and Extract the Content

Once you know which version you want to rebuild, extract it carefully.

You can:

Make sure to preserve the look and feel. Don’t modernize everything. Let the pixel fonts and clunky sidebars breathe - they’re part of the point.

Add Framing and Curatorial Notes

You’re not just restoring a site - you’re presenting it to others.

Include:

  • An intro or landing page explaining what the site was and why it matters

  • A timeline of changes if multiple snapshots are included

  • Comments or footnotes for historical context

  • Optional links to related media (e.g., press mentions, fan pages, or software of the time)

This transforms the archive into a true exhibit - something people can explore, not just click through.

Some creators even blend this approach with narrative design, as we described in our guide to using archived content in digital storytelling.

Rebuild as a Lightweight, Static Website

A good web museum shouldn’t rely on logins, JavaScript libraries, or complex databases. Instead, rebuild using:

  • Plain HTML and CSS

  • Publii (ideal for static page curation)

  • GitHub Pages or Netlify for free hosting

  • Offline ZIP versions for archiving or exhibitions

Clean up links, remove Wayback banners, and preserve the feel. Let the experience remain slow, weird, or awkward where appropriate - that’s part of what visitors come to see.

Preserve It Again, and Share It

Once your reconstruction is complete:

  • Archive your version back into the Wayback Machine

  • Share it with communities who remember or care about the content

  • Document your process if you can (even a short “how I did this” page helps)

You’re not just building a mirror. You’re telling a story about something that mattered to someone - maybe even to you.

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