If you are a fan of the British television series Downton Abbey and you are planning to be in New York anytime before April 2nd, there is a perfect stop for you while in town.
Set in a 3-stories building, the Exhibit is an immersive experience that takes guests inside the Crawley’s house. At the starting point, guests are greeted by an hologram of Mr. Carson, the butler, who explains how the visit works.
After that, guests can go through the “downstairs”, with replicas of the kitchen and Carson’s office. Costumes worn by the actor who played the servants are also displayed. Throughout the whole exhibit, there are panels explaining every detail to the visitor.
Going up one floor, guests are taken to the “upstairs”, where the dining room and Mary’s bedroom are, among other rooms. The third and last floor is more similar to a museum, with displays of props and even more costumes from the show, including all the wedding dresses.
Electronic panels are spread through the whole exhibit, with some characters directly addressing the guests and welcoming them to the next section. These panels also instruct about life, manners and customs of that era. There is also a nice video at the end, thanking guests for their visit.
The Exhibit also holds special events called Downton Abbey Soirée. According to the official website, it is “an elegant evening of Edwardian inspired food and drink” and “all waitstaff will be in period costume”. The next Soirées will be on February 23rd and on March 23rd.
The Downton Abbey Exhibit is located at 218 West 57th Street. Tickets can be bought in advance here.
