Examine history through the lens of the world-famous detective and renowned author
(St Paul, MN) — Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition opens Oct. 20, at the Minnesota History Center offering an interactive experience combining science with history and culture to bring to life the historic underpinnings of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s rich and vibrant stories.
WHERE/WHEN:
Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. in St. Paul. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Admission
Admission to Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition is included with regular History Center admission of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, $6 ages 5 to 17; free age 4 and under and MNHS members. Auxiliary aids and services are available with advance notice. For more information, visit www.minnesotahistorycenter.org, call 651-259-3000 or 1-800-657-3773.
BACKGROUND: Visitors will learn how Sherlock Holmes, a fictitious scientific expert ahead of his time, used seemingly trivial observations of clues others missed to solve some of his era’s most puzzling mysteries – not unlike the work of a historian. His practices and techniques, created in the mind of doctor-turned-author Conan Doyle, encouraged a change in the way police work was conducted, and remain in practice today. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension contributed to the making of this renowned exhibition alongside St. Paul-based Exhibits Design Group, LLC.
Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition Holmes features original manuscripts and period artifacts, investigative tools influenced and used by Sherlock Holmes, and interactive crime-solving opportunities. Some of these artifacts are on loan from the University of Minnesota which is home to the largest collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle items in the world.
Visitors will be transported into Sherlock Holmes’ London to solve a crime in a world just receiving its introduction to his ground-breaking methods. Then, visitors will then return to the present day – finding themselves in a showcase of Sherlock Holmes in all his manifestations from books and movies to today’s contemporary forensic science.
Exhibit and Program Support: The exhibition is brought to the Minnesota History Center by the Minnesota Historical Society as the result of a unique arts partnership between Exhibits Development Group (EDG); Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates; Conan Doyle Estate Ltd.; and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition is also funded in part by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, through appropriations made by their legislature and Governor.
About Exhibits Development Group (EDG)
EDG is dedicated to the development, production, marketing, and distribution of traveling museum exhibitions and cultural projects. EDG also serves as a partner to other exhibition organizers, museums, foundations, and collection owners in the U.S. and abroad, in the care and stewardship of their exhibitions and collections. EDG’s mission is to initiate and promote international cultural and intellectual exchange by bringing high-quality traveling exhibitions of art, science, and history to broad and diverse audiences. For more information, please visit www.exhibitsdevelopment.com
About Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates, LLC (GMCA)
GMCA is an innovative consulting company dedicated to supporting the development and execution of new and vibrant educational, hands-on, minds-on experiences for museums. GMCA’s goal is to integrate new, cutting-edge technologies, environmental design and emotional storytelling with tantalizing visual, audio and tactile experiences making exhibitions personal, artistic, fun, educational, and memorable. For more information, please visit www.gmcurley.com
About Conan Doyle Estate Ltd.
Conan Doyle Estate Ltd. is sole owner of the Sherlock Holmes and other Conan Doyle rights in the United States of America. Owned by members of the Conan Doyle family, and successor to the Estate of Dame Jean Conan Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s daughter who died in 1997), it manages the copyrights and trademarks in Sir Arthur’s works and characters. For more information, please visit www.conandoyleestate.co.uk
About Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
About Museum of London
Museum of London tells the story of the world’s greatest city and its people. It cares for more than two million objects in its collections and attracts over 600,000 visitors per year. It also holds the largest archaeological archive in the world. The Museum’s collections of photographs, paintings and objects relating to 19th century London are particularly rich, supporting a deep understanding of the city during this extraordinary period in its history. They are cared for by a team led by Alex Werner, the Museum’s Head of History Collections and an expert on 19th century London history and on Sherlock Holmes. More information is available from www.museumoflondon.org.uk
About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at www.mnhs.org
