Few shows become cultural phenomena. Among them are Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Hunger Games. They captured the passions and imaginations of millions.
So, too, did Downton Abbey. Over seven seasons, the show brought to life a microcosm of English life between 1912 and 1926.
But it did more than just showcase the day-to-day world of the aristocracy. It illustrated a time of cataclysmic change, beginning with the sinking of the Titanic and ending on January 1, 1926. It encompassed a World War, a pandemic, a revolution in social mores, and much more.
It did this through storytelling, by taking the issues of the day and weaving them into the lives of the Crawleys and their world, the people above stairs and those below. It’s a fictional tale with factual elements.
This weaving of reality and imagination is expertly displayed in Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie. This exhibition is more than a static series of displays.
Carson himself welcomes you (although he does question your choice of clothing). Videos throughout the labyrinth replay scenes from the show and displays detail what life was really like in early 1900s Britain.
You don’t have to be a devotee of Downton Abbey to enjoy the Exhibition, or even have seen a single episode. Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, wants attendees to feel like they’re “walking through a storyline.”
The Exhibition appeals to both fans and neophytes due to the inclusion of the facts that informed the fiction. The main characters are each given their own display, with details about not only the character, but also about the reality that informed that character’s development and storyline.
Drawers and red-lined dioramas reveal items like Anna’s arrest warrant and the letter Robert Crawley received informing him that he was now heir to Downton Abbey. Accompanying those official props are descriptions that give them context: the early 20th century criminal justice system in England, for example.
There’s information on health care, racial prejudice, the suffrage movement and why becoming a servant was a desirable occupation for many. You can even take a quiz to see if you’d be hired, and, if so, what position you’d receive.
This weaving of imagination with history “was a very conscious choice,” Zaller said. While some fans could tell you every outfit Lady Mary wore and what Mrs. Patmore made for Christmas dinner, their friends, partners, spouses, or anyone else who joins them to the exhibit may have no idea who those people are and why they should care.
Just like you don’t have to know much about George and Edith Vanderbilt to appreciate the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, you can enjoy Downton Abbey: The Exhibition even if you’ve never seen an episode of the show.
There are 60+ official costumes, many of them from the era, and the lavish dining room practically invites you to have a seat. You might be tempted to pour a glass of wine from the bottle on Carson’s desk. Everything in his “pantry” is from the show, and everything in the show was meticulously researched for accuracy.
Zaller worked directly with Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey’s writer and producer, and Carnival Films. The unfamiliar will get a glimpse into the dramatic changes that occurred during the time the show was set.
As Zaller said, “If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, you need to see this exhibit.”
And, I would add, even if you aren’t.
Downton Abbey: The Exhibit is open November 10, 2023, through March 31, 2024 at Westfield Old Orchard, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, IL 60077. Timed and Flex Entry and VIP tickets are available. Learn more and get tickets here.
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