In this paper, we illustrate how historical data can be capitalised for future virtual visualization applications. We will demonstrate our proposition thanks to a research and development project started in 2008 about a mock-up of Nantes (french city) harbour. This mock-up is an historic and geographic witness of the country it represents. The amount of available knowledge with such a historic witness is significant and can be useful for many experts and obviously for museum public. What we aim to do is to capitalise the whole knowledge related to this patrimonial object before designing any end user's application. Digital technologies such as 3D numerisation, virtual reality and cognitive infocommunications will help us to achieve this goal.