An Afternoon at Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey - NYC Exhibit

As avid fans of the show, when we heard about the NYC exhibit we were waiting for a chance to take a visit. In a nutshell, the exhibit is small but very interesting and a great way to spend a couple of hours re-living memories of the show. The use of technology to bring characters to life as well as weaving events in the show with social history during time-period in England makes it a somewhat educational experience as well. Situated in a non-descript building in Midtown close to Central Park, you forget the modern city you are in one you step inside the very well curated exhibit. Enjoy the pictures below !

THE MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Exhibits like this one make full use of the immersive technology available these days to make the visit a very "personalized" one for the end customer, how about a specific opening video from Carson who welcomes you to the exhibit or a motion activated Mrs Hughes who pops up life size in an open hallway ? The best was the seamless all around wall to wall projection in the library that runs a short 2-3 minute clip of key events across the entire series.

THE HISTORY EXPERIENCE
A major draw that led to the series being so popular was it interwove a very nice fictional story along with the backdrop of industrialization and actual major global events like the sinking of the Titanic, WW II and more gradual changes in English society like the decline of houses like Downton, the changing social dynamic between "Upstairs" and "Downstairs" etc. The exhibit gives due credit to all these changes and also interweaves these nicely as one navigates the three floors of the exhibit.

THE HOUSE AND THE DRESSES
A big reason for the popularity of the show was the vivid and lush displays of grandeur in the main house, the intricacies of the kitchen downstairs, the beloved "switch board" and the Victorian dressing and charm. This is front and center at the exhibit; from a recreation of the dining room and its elaborate settings to the costume major characters wore in the show to an elaborate setup of the kitchen.

And at the very end, we have the most beloved pair in the whole show; Carson and Mrs Hughes (or Mrs Carson ??) saying goodbye along with the Early and Lady Grantham and wishing visitors all the best !

EVEN GOOD THINGS
COME TO AN END

Thomas